(GLENDALE, CO) The St. Louis Sabres women’s rugby club suffered a 46-28 setback to Charlotte at the USA Rugby Club Championships Women’s Division II title game Saturday afternoon at Infinity Field.
Photo Credit: Infinity Park at Glendale Webstream
The final featured teams that were seeking their first-ever national title.
Charlotte broke the deadlock in the ninth minute as Sara Davis’ try was followed by Maddy Clark’s conversion kick that resulted in a 7-0 advantage.
Then at 13:50, Clark’s penalty kick sailed through the goal and extended Charlotte’s lead to 10-0.
Charlotte continued the pressure and flanker Kelly Sager’s try scored from five meters out widened the score to 15-0 as Clark’s conversion kick sailed wide.
St. Louis finally scored their first five-pointer of the match as Meredith Schwartz’s two meter try posted at 27:50 broke the shutout. Anna Albrecht followed with the conversion kick that narrowed the deficit to 15-7.
Charlotte quickly responded with Erin Satterfield’s try gained from two meters out at 30:45. A failed conversion kick followed as the score remained 20-7.
With four minutes left in the half, the Sabres narrowed the gap to single digits. Highlighted by Kate Koster’s dummy, center Nesha Newton two-meter try at 36:05 made the score 20-12. Albrecht’s second successful conversion kick of the half narrowed the game to 20-14.
Charlotte maintained the six-point lead at intermission but quickly posted a pair of tries in the second half. Following Liz Ravaioli midfield romp three minutes in, and subsequent clean kick by Clark, Kala Klanton’s five-pointer posted at 53:05 from three meters out widened Charlotte’s lead to 32-14.
Charlotte seemed to have clinched the match at 61:50 as Raelyn Jehlik crashed through the line with a try as they widened the score to 39-14.
St. Louis did post another pair of tries before conclusion as Mandy Smith broke through the line from one meter out at 65:30 and Whitney Smith notched five with six minutes remaining. Unfortunately for the Sabres, time expired before a comeback could be completed.
Outscoring St. Louis 26-14 in the second period, Charlotte claimed the 46-28 for their first-ever trophy.
For more information on the Sabres, go to their official website.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
