Results from the 2024 WGR State Championship Tournament:
Championship: Divine Savior Holy Angels HS 21 Catholic Memorial HS 5
3rd Place: Green Bay 13 Hamilton HS 12
5th Place: DSHA HS jv 45 Bruisers 20
7th Place: Fox Cities 20 Stevens Point Area HS 75
Final WGR Standings
1.DSHA (5-0)
2.Catholic Memorial (5-1)
3.Green Bay (3-2)
4.Hamilton (3-3)
5.DSHA jv (3-3)
6.Bruisers (3-3)
7.Fox Cities (2-3)
8. SPASH (1-4)
9.Madison (0-4)
Championship Recap:
The championship match added another great chapter to a storied rivalry. The record setting crowd at the 4,900 seat stadium at Hart Park for the first championship in Wauwatosa were not disappointed.
The match started at a furious pace as CMH caught the opening kickoff and proceeded to run through 21 consecutive phases of hard charging runs from sideline to sideline. It was a tense opening eight minutes as CMH lost ground in attack but maintained possession. The Crusaders executed at a high level with numerous under-pressure passes.
DSHA matched the CMHS attack with skill and power in the the tackle throughout the opening salvo. Defenders from one sideline to the other made tackles. This was the story of an often deadlocked first half.
A CMH turnover at the 45 led to a DSHA counter attacking kick ahead, which was knocked on by the receiving Crusaders. The resulting DSHA scrum at the 30 meter line led to DSHA's moment to run their attack for an extended sequence. Much as DS had done, CMH's tackling across the field was excellent. This led to one of the big moments of the first half:
Playing with advantage, DSHA spun the ball wide. A great play from the CMH wing found her intercepting the final pass to the wing as she blitzed in from the edge. The flying Crusader raced 80 meters for what looked at first to be an incredible length of the field try to capture the lead, with a DSHA wing tight on her heels.
The roar of the large crowd kept many players and fans from hearing the whistle.
The play was called back due to the advantage in DSHA's favor. The perplexed blue crowd voiced their displeasure. DSHA seized the momentum from the swing in action and scored a quick try in three phases off the penalty. With a well-placed conversion kick, DSHA held a tenuous 7-0 lead going into halftime. In the first half, other than the intercept try, CMH had only crossed into DSHA territory briefly. That would change in the second half.
With the tension of a 7-0 game building, the two stellar squads kicked off the second half with renewed intensity. Both sides exchanged attacking sequences as play stayed within the middle of the field for 15 minutes. DSHA found success with their midfielders, especially one of their centers slicing through for two line breaks in the second half. After a 30meter break from a DSHA center, DSHA finished off the run of play for their second try and a 14-0 lead.
CMH responded by capturing the kickoff for excellent attacking field position. A half break from CMH's #10 gave her a chance at the line, only for her to be tackled dangerously by a DSHA cover defender over-extending herself to stop the break. The yellow card to a DSHA forward, with 8 minutes remaining, left DSHA to play down a player for the remainder of the match. CMHS executed a quick strike in the midfield to score shortly after the yellow card.
A tense 14-5 match continued. DSHA responded with another break from their centers, who pinned the final defender, to send the DSHA fullback in for her third try of the evening and a 21-5 lead. DSHA would end the night perfect on kick conversions, giving them a little extra comfort in their lead. With only moments left, CMH attempted to score a final try before a knock-on off a scrum ended the titanic tussle.
Exhausted players from both sides hugged, cried, and celebrated. Of particular note, was the exchange of player of the match from team captains with their opponents, delivered with class and sincerity after a great game.
Tournament Notes:
-The Madison Furies were able to play an exhibition match at noon against JV players from Hamilton HS. It was great to see all teams represented at the state tournament, which is really a celebration of rugby from across the state. Nine girls programs were able to compete at the event.
-Kudos to the teams that drove from all areas of the state and a variety of significant distances to compete at such a great facility:
Green Bay, Stevens Points, Madison, and Fox Cities especially.
-9 different teams have lifted the third place trophy in WGR State Tournament history. Green Bay added to this unique history with their first state medal.
-This was Catholic Memorial's 10th Runner-up finish in the 17 years of a WGR State Tournament.
-This is DSHA's 14th State Championship out of 17 finals. They've competed in every state final. Catholic Memorial is the only other team to win championships (2015,2017, 2021). Including championships before the current format, this was DSHA’s 20th overall state title.
-DSHA reloaded with 12 new starters this fall. While a dynasty program, they are also a young side that has a ton of potential going forward. Their JV side showed significant growth, as young teams tend to do, winning both their playoffs.
Historical State Tournament Records:
WGR State Championships (15's, Fall)
2015 Catholic Memorial DSHA Brookfield
