Wisconsin Remains Undefeated, Slams Milwaukee Scylla 30-5

October 5, 2013
Wisconsin kicks off against the Milwaukee Scylla.
Wisconsin kicks off against the Milwaukee Scylla, Oct. 5, 2013 on the foggy shores of Lake Michigan.

The Wisconsin Women gained outright control of the Midwest Division II standings in the north league Saturday with a decisive 30-5 win on the road against the Milwaukee Scylla.

Played in foggy conditions on the shores of Lake Michigan, the game marked the first of two meetings this fall between the two Wisconsin-based teams. The women in red also sought retribution after suffering a stinging one-point loss last fall to the Scylla that knocked Wisconsin out of hosting playoffs heading into the Midwest Championships. It was Wisconsin’s only loss to the Scylla in the last seven years. Needless to say, the Madison players were out for blood.

The match exceeded expectations for physicality. Milwaukee brought a powerful scrum to the field and held a clear size advantage amongst the forwards overall. The Scylla’s bruisers kept up a relentless pounding up the middle of the field throughout the match to test Wisconsin’s forwards and defensive post.

However, Milwaukee’s backline could not keep pace with the Madison team’s speed and ability to spread the field wide across all 15 players. Wisconsin’s scrappy backrow players kept the ball in play for their teammates even when scrums and breakdowns were lost, taking down Scylla players at the knees to create turnover ball.

Wisconsin wing Jennifer Messer opened up scoring just three minutes into the match after picking off a floating pass between Milwaukee’s centers, racing in to dot down the ball and put Wisconsin on the board.

Teammate and prop Melissa “Helga” Pohleber earned the team’s next points at 17 minutes, before Milwaukee finally broke down Wisconsin’s defense to score a try by the big No. 8 Abby Williams.

Wisconsin hurt themselves with a few near-scores that they just couldn’t capitalize on to keep the Scylla within reach. However, Wisconsin worked hard to control the remainder of the match and kept the Scylla frustratingly pinned down in their end of the field.

Wisconsin’s backs took ownership of the second half with three tries to seal the win. Fullback Lily Khadempour notched a try right away at 42 minutes. A deep roster brought in fresh legs to break a minor scoring drought in the last quarter of the game before Wisconsin flyhalf Meaghan White raced in her team’s fourth try at 73 minutes.

Wisconsin captain Nicole Helmer would put the final nail in the Scylla coffin just three minutes later on a run set up by White (who self-sacrificed her body for a beauty of a set-up) and the game ended in the away team’s favor.

Both teams also celebrated healthy rosters with an 80-minute b-side match, unheard of for both sides just a few years ago. Milwaukee edged Wisconsin in the developmental game.

Wisconsin flanker Kris Peterson earned Player of the Match honors for the A-side game, while Mollie Overby earned B-side player of the match honors for her utility play across multiple positions.

Wisconsin improves to 3-0 overall in league play and earned the bonus point as well for the standings. Saturday’s win improved Wisconsin to 130 points scored and just five points against them across those three matches. The team will rest October 12 with a bye weekend before beginning a three-game homestand to end the fall season. Up next, they’ll host the Twin Cities Amazons at 1:00 p.m. at the Wisconsin Rugby Club Sports Complex.

********

Wisconsin Women – 30
Milwaukee Scylla – 5

USA Rugby Statistics

Wisconsin Tries – Nicole Helmer, Lily Khadempour, Jennifer Messer, Melissa Pohleber, Meaghan White.

Wisconsin Conversions – None.

Milwaukee Tries – Abigail Williams.

Milwaukee Conversions – None.

Wisconsin Lineup:
1. Melissa Polheber
2. Emily “Mouth” Mastandrea
3. Nadia Riese
4. Jessica Burda
5. Sammy Clevenger
6. Amanda Stoltz
7. Kris Peterson
8. Kelly Clerkin (Captain)
9. Mary Hanks
10. Meaghan White
11. Emi Frerichs
12. Nicole Helmer (Captain)
13. Kelly Mullen
14. Jennifer Messer
15. Lily Khadempour

Reserves: Mollie Overby, Corinna Senn, Jill Lehmann, Maddie Hettinger, Katie Odens, Kim Distin, Greta Slack, Marissa Kraynak.

Additional B-Side Players: Jinelle Kubly, Loralee Bilke, Michelle Blaser, Anne-Sophie Daloz, Kestrel Felton, Mack Stout, Sophia Weerth.

Awesome Support Players: Lisa Burley, Casey Shearing, Elisa Becker and Kit Sargent.