View the 2011 WPL Schedule and Results here.
Match Video
by JL “Trie” Triemstra
Elk River, MN – It was a hot and sunny day for the Minnesota Valkyries home opener on Sunday against their cross-town rivals, the Twin Cities Amazons. This WPL match was the showcase game for the annual All-Minnesota Tournament. But the real show was about to begin with the Amazon backline running smooth as silk through what seemed like a resilient Valkyries defense. Within minutes of the kickoff, Amazon’s Lynelle Kugler and Sylvia Braaten, put up two tries with Radtke topping the second off with a conversion. The Amazons continued their unanswered scoring drive tacking up three more tries (Kingzett, Mulford, & Radtke) with Radtke topping off two more conversions. Finally, the Valks got relief from the scoring drought with a try by seasoned veteran Zdanczewicz. The conversion was missed. Yet the Amazons were not done talking and added one
more try and conversion at the 32nd minute before half. Half-time score was 38-5.
Tired, ego bruised, and well on their way to sunburn, the Valkyries pushed forward into the second half recuperated and focused. This half would be an uphill battle for the Valks to fight, but with veterans along side rookies, fight they did. Although Zon’s Kingzett snuck in a try at the 59 minute mark, it was Valkyries heavy hitter Chobot who answered right back with a catch and run try putting the Valks on the score board for a second time. But that would be all the Valks would put up that day, as the Amazons continued to push their offense into the final minutes of the game. Tries by Kingzett and two by Kugler with two conversions by Radtke let the Valks know that today was not going to be their day for a win. Final score was 62-10.
Overall, it was a impressive start for the 3rd WPL season. Both teams showed such tenacity and strength for the All-Minnesota tourney crowd leaving everyone wanting to see more high-level women’s rugby action. Off the pitch at the social, both teams were back to their normal shenanigan’s talking, laughing, and sharing stories about the game. Reminding all of us that at every level of rugby, it’s about the camaraderie we share with each other in this sport. The next time the Valkyries and Amazons meet will be Oct 30th, the final match before Nationals. Next weekend, the Valkyries play the Surfers in San Diego and the Amazon’s take on New York in Minnesota.
For photos of the game, go to:
www.ShootingTheGap.com/Rugby-Tournaments/2011-All-MN
