WPL Week 6 Recap: Statements Made
WPL Week 6 Recap: Statements Made
Glendale ended Life West's unbeaten season, Atlanta won again, Berkeley picked up another victory, and Twin Cities laid down a statement.
There are officially zero unbeaten teams remaining in the 2019 WPL Season after Glendale scored a huge road victory over Life West on Saturday, getting payback for their opening-round loss five weeks ago.
We also saw two other teams — Atlanta and Twin Cities — avenge early season losses to Beantown and Chicago respectively, while Berkeley got an anticipated bonus-point win at ORSU.
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Here's how it went down:
Atlanta Harlequins vs Beantown RFC
The Harlequins made it four wins in a row on Saturday, avenging their lone defeat of the season to Beantown, 34-12.
The win keeps Atlanta atop the WPL East standings, while Beantown's defeat sees them fall a game back of Twin Cities in the race for the second playoff spot.
The Quins dotted down five tries on the day, beginning and ending with a brace from fullback Kelli Smith. Hooker Carissa Lacy and wingers Meredith Nelson and Monique Compito all added a try of their own as well.
Flyhalf Corinne Heavner booted a penalty kick and three conversions for the Harlequins.
Beantown's offensive struggles continue, as they scored less than 13 points for the fourth consecutive game.
They did get on the board first, with a try from young center Rosana Wright. Her second of the year put Beantown's noses in front after 17 minutes, but that was the last they'd see of the lead.
Hooker and University of Stanford alum Kathryn Treder got on the scoresheet herself, but it was not enough for the women from Boston, who have now lost three of four.
The Harlequins have established themselves as the top dog in the East, having now beaten every other team in the division. They'll want to keep the momentum going as they approach the playoffs.
Beantown is still in with a shot to make the playoffs, but they are going to have to figure out how to put more points on the board to do so.
Atlanta - 34
Tries: Smith 2, Lacy, Nelson, Compito
Convs: Heavner 3
Pens: Heavner
Beantown - 12
Tries: Wright, Treder
Convs: Toeldte
ORSU Jesters vs Berkeley All Blues
The Jesters turned in a much-improved performance from a week ago, but again they were still a ways off the mark, as they suffered a 34-7 loss to the All Blues.
For the first time all season, ORSU held a lead during the game, when Claire Lundy scored and Emma Richie converted in the sixth minute to give the Jesters a 7-5 lead.
Other than that, it was all Berkeley as they ran in six tries on the day. Bulou Mataitoga continued her great run of form, scoring two first-half tries for the All Blues.
Winger Maggie Simpson broke a three-game scoring drought with a two-try outing, and hooker Katy Augustyn and No. 8 Kedra Davis each dotted down as well.
After shipping 98 points a week ago, 34 is a marked improvement for ORSU, but it looks as if they may finish the season without a single point in the standings.
Berkeley weren't at their best, but they got the bonus-point win which is all that really matters. They've got three pivotal games with Life West, San Diego, and Glendale down the stretch which will make or break their season.
ORSU - 7
Tries: Lundy
Convs: Richie
Berkeley - 34
Tries: Mataitoga 2, Simpson 2, Augustyn, Davis
Convs: Siano, Miller
Life West Gladiatrix vs Glendale Merlins
The marquee matchup of the weekend lived up to its billing, as the Glendale Merlins toppled Life West 31-29.
The league's only undefeated team couldn't quite dig themselves out of a 17-0 hole, but they did at least secure both a losing bonus point and a four-try bonus point for their efforts.
The win was huge for Glendale, who have now won a fourth straight game and are right on the Gladiatrix' heels for the top seed in the WPL West.
Merlins wingers Kaitlyn Broughton and Beatriz Amaral, who combined for nine tries a week ago, each scored early to boost Glendale to a 17-0 first-half lead.
Life West proved why they are the top team in the league, however, and tied the game up early in the second half. Tries from their power trio of Hope Rogers, Sisileti Hingano, and Amy Bonte knotted the score up just after halftime.
Former Harvard player Jenny Kronish put Glendale back on top with a try in the 64th minute, before Life West's Nene Persinger answered with a powerful finish in the corner in the 66th.
Replacement No. 8 Amandine Chatalier scored the Merlins' fourth try of the day, punching over from close range in the 74th minute. After McKenzie Hawkins' conversion went in, the Merlins led 31-22 and made the game a two-score contest.
Life West scored a late try to pull the deficit within two when Hope Rogers scored her second of the day and Leti Hingano converted from in front of the sticks.
The Gladiatrix left themselves just enough time for a final possession, but some good pressure at the breakdown by Glendale forced a knock on, and that's how it ended.
The difference in the game was Glendale's McKenzie Hawkins, and specifically her accuracy off the tee. The inside center converted all four of the Merlins' tries, as well as adding a penalty to her tally.
Life West converted just two of their five tries.
In a game decided by just a few points, the kicking game is crucial. Hawkins' performance provided the edge for Glendale, who were actually outscored five tries to four.
Life West - 29
Tries: Hingano, Rogers 2, Bonte, Persinger
Convs: Hingano 2
Glendale - 31
Tries: Broughton, Amaral, Kronish, Chatelier
Convs: Hawkins 4
Pens: Hawkins
Twin Cities Amazons vs Chicago North Shore
The Amazons ran riot on Sunday against North Shore, getting their revenge from a 31-10 defeat in Chicago to start the season with a 56-17 drubbing on their home turf.
The win is huge in the context of the standings. The Amazons now move into second place and can lock down a playoff spot with a couple more wins to close out the season.
Danica Mooney-Jones had a blinder for the Amazons. The winger scored one try and went 8/8 on conversions, giving her a whopping 21 points on the day.
Fellow winger Kelsey Coley had two tries, and flyhalf Katana Howard, No. 8 Kathryn Johnson, lock Shaena Sparrow, fullback Kaelene Lundstrom, and flanker Katrina Anderson also scored on the day as Twin Cities scored a bevy of tries for the second game running.
A pair of tries from No. 8 Kadie Sanford and flyhalf Rose Dibalsamo in the last two minutes got North Shore into double digits for the first time since Week 1. Lock Anna Cohen-Price also bagged a five-pointer. Unfortunately, it's looking more and more like Chicago is heading for the 9/10th place game with ORSU.
Twin Cities seem to be peaking at the right time. Their showdown next week with Beantown is going to be massive for both teams in their playoff hunts.
Twin Cities - 56
Tries: Howard, Mooney-Jones, Coley 2, Johnson, Lundstrom, Sparrow, Anderson
Convs: Mooney-Jones 8
Chicago - 17
Tries: Cohen-Price, Sanford, Dibalsamo
Convs: Fisch