The 8th annual Women’s Premier League (WPL) championship is set for Friday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 13 at Life University in Marietta, Ga. Each of the eight teams will play two games, with either the championship title or 5th place as the prize for an undefeated weekend. Atlanta, Berkeley, D.C. Furies and Oregon Rugby Sports Union (ORSU) will by vying for 5th place (read more on the championship semifinals).

ORSU and Atlanta ended their regular seasons 2-4, and their victories came against the 0-6 All Blues and Furies, respectively. On Friday, ORSU will play D.C., and Atlanta will play Berkeley.

“Definitely a rebuilding year,” ORSU captain Rachel Johnson classified the season. “A few ORSU players were absent this season either due to injury or retirement, so we have been experimenting with newer and/or younger players in some key positions, including a very new front three. Although at times there is a lot of learning to be done, our coaches have really stepped up in their coaching roles, and the team has been very responsive and positive in our growth.”

ORSU took a hit when player/coach San Juanita Moreno suffered an ACL injury during the summer. The silver lining, however, was more dedicated attention to her coaching role, and paired with player/coach Beckett Royce, the duo placed a simpler, approachable game plan in front of the younger team.

“Although unfortunate, San Juanita’s ACL injury gave her some more sideline experience where she was able to hone her analyzing and feedback skills, especially for our newer players in the front three,” Johnson explained. “Additionally, she has approached drills with individuals in mind, formulating specific expectations and encouragement tailored for each back line player.”

Johnson pointed to fullback Molly Luft as her on-field partner in terms of leadership, and welcomed the return of Te Awhina Ho Chee, as well as Moreno toward the end of the season, for their veteran insight. It allowed breakout performances from lock Candace Mahoney-Watson, hooker/flanker Paris Hart and scrumhalf Claire Lundy.

ORSU is coming off of a 24-12 win over Berkeley in round six of league and prepares for the D.C. Furies in the semifinals. D.C., too, has been rebuilding this year, and it’s a process with which captain Sharifa Love-Schnur is familiar.

“There are a decent amount of new faces, a lot of young players this year, but D.C. always suffers from a transient population,” said the captain, who’s been with the team since 2009. “It’s definitely frustrating, to work on things over the course of the season and make progress, and then have a large amount of personnel change. You can’t maintain momentum. You have to reset and start over.”

But Schnur also recognized the opportunity for younger players to step into leadership roles, and focused on that goal toward growth. Providence transfer Michelle Vander Ploeg has flourished in the flyhalf position and directs the back line well. Wing Leni Dworkis upped her contributions this season, and No. 8 Maggie Olney has been integral in directing the forwards.

Despite the highlights, the Furies struggled to score points this season – just 38 across six games. Finishing scoring opportunities was an area of concern that coach Jo Bader had noted prior to the season.

“Everyone is committed and everyone is excited about getting better,” Schnur summarized the team attitude. “No one is satisfied where we ended our regular season. We all want to grow … and we’re taking a positive and fun team attitude [to nationals].”

On the other side bracket, Berkeley is playing in the fifth-place tier for the first time in the competition’s history. The winner of the 2011 and 2012 WPL trophies, the All Blues went winless through regular season.

Eagle hooker Katy Augustyn confirmed that the season’s been a little rough for the team in transition.

“We lost quite a few players to retirement, school and injury,” Augustyn compared the roster to a year ago. “We have a lot of new faces, some who have played before, others who are relatively new to the game. Obviously it’s frustrating to lose games, but I am really proud of the team.”

That pride originates from the collaboration occurring between the generations of players. Familiar names like Katie Chou, Allison Byrne, Ardia Kelker and Frieda Fetu’u, among others, are helping along developing talent. The All Blues were fortunate to acquire deft flyhalf Lauren Rhode, who has called New York, D.C. and San Diego her home the last few years.

“The younger players are not afraid to ask questions, are really accepting of constructive criticism, and are continually showing improvement on the field,” Augustyn added. “There is no doubt in my mind that this is just a transition phase for the Berkeley All Blues and you’ll see the team continue to improve and excel in the upcoming seasons just like they have in the past.”

Atlanta head coach Phil Thiel has been pleased with the progress that the Harlequins have made this season, and it nearly culminated in a come-from-behind victory over the Twin Cities Amazons (18-17 loss) in round six. In the teams’ first meeting, Atlanta relinquished 38 points, and Thiel pointed to a massively improved, physical defense for closing the gap.

“The second big thing to improve is our desire to go forward with ball in hand,” Thiel said. “It’s really great to see people go hard toward the line and really want to go forward. They’re playing rugby the way it should be played.”

Thiel recognized forwards like captain Maggie Craig, No. 8 Kimberly Knipe and flanker Liz Snodgrass for setting the example in work ethic and aggression. In the backs, the coach has cheered the players’ adaptability. Players moved around and has finally seen a healthy Becky Martin settle into flyhalf; Laoise O’Driscoll (with the stellar boot) grow into inside center; a natural, hard-running center, Lara Gartner is leaving her mark at fullback; and wing Meredith Whitten is flourishing outside of her comfort zone. Meanwhile, Monique Compito has dazzled at outside center.

Atlanta has two more opportunities to further that upward trajectory, and the Harlequins will do it in front of a hometown crowd. Atlanta plays the first game of the day Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern against Berkeley. For more information, CLICK HERE.

During the final round of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) all eyes were on the Glendale vs. San Diego rematch, but the best game of round six occurred in Atlanta. The Harlequins rallied in the final 15 minutes to nearly overtake the Twin Cities Amazons. The hosts fell just short, 18-17, but the effort highlighted a much improved Atlanta side with a solid work ethic. The effort also highlighted Player of the Week Monique Compito, who has popped up in every opponent’s feedback this season.

On Sunday, Atlanta took a 5-3 lead into halftime, and then Twin Cities responded with the next 15 points to lead 18-5 by the third quarter.

“The only thing I’ve ever asked for as a coach is that people give everything they have,” said Atlanta head coach Phil Thiel. “As a coaching staff, we’ll work on the pieces that need to be improved – whether it’s handling or decision-making – and work up to the larger game-plan stuff. The Quins have never given up – and they never will. … I’m really proud of their effort.”

Atlanta remained disciplined, and continued to keep its width and move the ball. The hosts kept attacking, and during the final 15 minutes of play outside center Compito finished off the phases with two tries.

“She’s a classic, shorter-build person who is absolutely powerful,” Thiel said. “She has great footwork skills and the ability to win those one-on-one battles. She uses that footwork on defense, too, and gets in front of people and makes that tackle against larger players.

“Some players have raw athleticism but don’t know how to use it,” the coach added. “She has great feet, balance and intelligence, and knows how to use her body, how to find space and beat people one on one. She needs to continue to work on her basic skills – they’re not poor by any stretch of the imagination, but if they’re elevated, then she’ll be nearly unstoppable.”

Fall 2016 marks Compito’s first season in the WPL, and she ended league play with five tries. She’s a great weapon, but Thiel also lauded her emotional assets.

“She is super positive all of the time and that helps create a positive rugby environment,” the coach said. “In the beginning of the season, you want to stay positive and focus on improvement, and now we’re trying to push more high performance, where we’re more critical of ourselves – but always positive. She’s a light bulb, super bright all of the time, and is great to coach.”

That combination of skill, know-how and positivity is reason enough for Thiel to recommend Compito to the higher-ups.

“If I was a USA Rugby coach, I would have her on the radar right now,” Thiel said. “Even if you didn’t choose her, I would want her in camp. She brings so many positive intangibles – such a good attitude, loves to train hard – that she would make the camp a good experience for others.”

Fortunately for Compito and teammates, the national team selectors are heading to the Harlequins’ backyard next week. The WPL championships occur Nov. 11 and Nov. 13 at Life University.

The fifth round of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) officially ended on Saturday, when San Diego traveled to Oregon Rugby Sports Union (ORSU) while the rest of the league enjoyed a bye. The Surfers triumphed 45-0 and that concentration of attention also highlighted the Player of the Week, Kate Zachary.

San Diego took a 19-0 halftime lead, sending hooker Sam Pankey, lock Melissa Quiroz and No. 8 Matelina Maluia over for tries. Fullback Tia Blythe kicked two of her five conversions in the first 40.

“ORSU is always tough opposition, particularly at home, but we just came out ready from the starting whistle,” San Diego coach Jarrod Faul said. “We played with a lot of intensity the first half. We did a good job of keeping the ball alive, and the ball movement was good as well. On defense, we put good pressure on them. We probably had one of our best 40 minutes all season.”

Scrumhalf Elizabeth Trujillo opened up the second-half scoring three minutes in, and then prop Hope Rogers dotted down back-to-back tries. Forward reserve Kara Mathews scored the final try in the waning minutes. Although the team recorded more points in the second half, coach Faul was less happy with the team’s execution.

“We blew some try-scoring opportunities,” the coach explained. “We had good go-forward and didn’t finish because of passes going astray. We just didn’t take our chances when they were given to us.”

Even though San Diego’s offense wasn’t as consistent in the second half, the defense was sound.

“That was the most pleasing aspect – keeping them out of the try zone,” Faul said. “That was a goal of ours, to hold them.”

San Diego is now 4-1 and guaranteed a championship semifinal berth. Reflecting on the season thus far and Saturday in particular, Faul nominated flanker Kate Zachary as MVP.

“She’s been outstanding for us all season, especially since she came in with no [senior-level] 15s experience,” Faul said of the USA 7s Eagle. “She’s been consistently one of our strongest performers. Every week she does a superb job of giving us go-forward – she always gets past the gain line. It’s really impressive.”

Even though Zachary is competing in her first WPL season, she’s a familiar face. The 27-year-old earned her first 7s caps in Atlanta during the 2014-15 Women’s Sevens Series, and the 7s prop injected a lot of power onto the pitch. The Kansas native joined the 15s pool as well, and when she aligned with San Diego, USA Women’s 15s coach Pete Steinberg requested to see her developed at flanker. Zachary’s been there ever since, bringing an attractive blend of 7s field vision and loose forward aggression.

“She’s got a good awareness,” Faul said of the 7s Eagle. “She’s good at identifying the holes and hitting them. She’s got a turn of pace, too, and is tough to take down. She fights for every inch.

“And she’s equally impressive on defense. She brings a lot of physicality,” the coach added. “Right now, she’s one of the best number 7s in the nation. She’s dedicated, has a great attitude and just adds a tremendous value to the Surfers.”

San Diego will test itself this weekend, as the rematch with Glendale looms. The Surfers dropped the opener in Colorado after building a big lead, but now the Raptors are traveling to California, and there’s some redemption at stake.

“There are always areas you can improve, but I’m certainly happy with where we are right now,” Faul concluded. “Glendale has always been in the back of our mind but we’ve been taking it one game at a time. Girls are definitely ready for the rematch. We just have to stick to our systems, stay patient on attack, build pressure and nail those opportunities when they come up. From a defensive perspective, we have to shut down their space and limit their opportunities. Glendale is very good at taking your mistakes and converting them into points. We really have to be on top of our game.”

Both San Diego and Glendale will represent the Blue Conference in the championship semifinals. ORSU, which travels to Berkeley Saturday, will join the All Blues in the fifth place semifinals. In the Red Conference, New York and Twin Cities will compete in the championship semifinals, while Atlanta and the D.C. Furies play for fifth place. The Harlequins host the Amazons in Sunday’s Round 6 match-up, while the Furies head north to New York. The WPL championship will occur Nov. 11 and Nov. 13 in Marietta, Ga.