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Berkeley comes up short vs. Elsie Allen
Daily Planet Staff
Lacking a complete team, the Berkeley High girls rugby squad combined with a contingent from Piedmont High on Sunday to take on talented Elsie Allen of Sacramento. Though the far less experienced Yellowjackets lost the game at Berkeley’s Fielding Park, the 25-15 final score marked the closest game of the season vs. their league rivals, and sent the BHS girls home with reason for encouragement.
“(Today) was the first game we’ve really gotten together and done a good job,” said Sophia Chytry, who scored two of Berkeley’s three tries despite competing with a foot injury. “I think today showed how much we’ve improved. People are getting down what they need to do, like passing instead of just running through.”
With the regular Berkeley High coaches competing in a collegiate tournament, Piedmont coach Jen Crawford took over the helm of the combined squad, and was impressed by what she saw. According to the coach, whose team is considering merging with BHS permanently, the Yellowjackets have made strides in both the physical and fundamental aspects of the sport over the course of 2000.
“I saw things start clicking for them,” Crawford said after the game. “Some really good running, tackling. It takes a long time, but for their first year, they’re doing fabulous.”
“It was a total change from the first time we played Elsie Allen,” added Joanna Hoch, who round out the Berkeley High scoring with a try of her own. “It was actually almost an equal match. We really held our own.”
According to the Berkeley High girls, the best thing about the strong weekend showing is the message they sent to Elsie Allen – that with a little more improvement and experience, they can compete with much more established programs.
“They definitely got a taste of what we’ll give them in the years to come,” Chytry prophecized.
Berkeley High hopes to get back to the playing field this Thursday, on the road against Roseville, though the game has not yet been officially scheduled, due to possible conflicts caused by Roseville’s spring break.
