For all the right reasons, members on the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls' Rugby team won't forget their match May 1 at Algonquin Regional High School in Massachusetts.
Playing in the program's first official game, the Titans topped Algonquin's junior varsity program 22-0.
"They were amped," Coach Dave Belsky said. "They were excited. When they realized the whistle had blown (at the end of the game), they started freaking out. They weren't thinking about winning until the very last try, and that was near the end of the game."
Emma Stoll '18 scored a try and Clara Harrington '18 converted a kick on a tough angle to put WMA ahead 7-0 in the 15v15 matchup. After injuries sent two starters to the bench, Addison Wakelin '18 gave the Titans a big boost by scoring on a long run at the end of the first half, giving the visitors a 12-0 lead. Laya Nagireddy '18 and Emma added tries for WMA in the second half.
"Every single player, whether they were a starter or off the bench, did better than I thought they would," said Coach Belsky, who praised the efforts of Yujia "Cynthia" Xie '19 switching to a forward mid-game.
WMA has two games remaining, including its only home game on May 5 versus the junior varsity of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School of Massachusetts. The match will be lived streamed on WMA Facebook Live at 3 p.m. The Titans cap their season May 19 with a game at The Harvey School of New York.
"I stupidly said I would shave my head if they went undefeated," said Coach Belsky while running his hand through his thick brown hair.