Banshees Match Reports 04

vs. Wilmington (Scrimmage)   3/07/04

   On a crisp winter afternoon 22 girls, some parents, a brother and some supporters watched the Hibernian Banshees start their 2004 season with a with a 34 - 0 win over Wilmington in a controlled scrimmage (uncontested scrums).  We were treated to three 20 - minute periods and the Banshees played very well in all three.  The girls played a tight, close supporting game, which featured a lot of forward controlled ball.  We were quick to out teammates in support and kept the ball most of the game.  The Wilmington Girls did not give in too easily and we didn't score until 9 minutes in to the match.  The ball worked out through many hands to Player of the Match Jen Reedman.  She was able to get outside and race in for the first try of the season.  The conversion attempt was no good leaving the score at 5 -0.  We continued to possess most of the ball and at the 19 minute mark Kelly McClendon scored the second try of the match on a wonderful run, breaking a tackle and racing in for the score.  Rachel missed this conversion attempt.

  The second period we added seven different girls to the side and saw three trys and two conversions scored.  The first try had Lindsey Kanter racing around many Wilmington and Banshees as well for her first try and appearance of the season.  She was able to convert the try making the score 17 - 0.   We kept up the pressure and pounded the ball at them, then we decided to move the ball out to the backs hands who were able to out pace their opposite numbers.  Jen Reedman finished off this drive in the 13th minute of play.  Lindsey missed the conversion keeping the score at 22 - 0.  Never letting them off the hook, Jen made another breakaway and scored the hat trick, which Lindsey was able to convert this time.  This happened in the 18th minute pushing the score to 29 - 0, That's the way to finish up strong Banshees.

   The third period was more of the same.  Relentless pressure against a now weary team.  Both sides were starting to show some signs of fatigue.  Not to say that the Banshees slowed down that much.  This period the Banshees played a very stingy session and did not let anything happen that they didn't want.  The only score came when Rachel got her first ever try, after several punishing runs throughout the day.  Lindsey missed the conversion and this is where the score remained 34 - 0.  An incident at the end of the match marred an otherwise very nice day.  Girls: We can play tough but we must not play outside ourselves.  Keep your composure and play the game,  When you are winning a match such as you were you should expect some frustration from your opponent.  You killed them after all!!!!  Keep the task at hand, scoring and not getting scored upon.  Lets put this one behind us and look forward to Unionville this Sunday.  They have a lot of girls so you better be ready for them.

Team Period 1: Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller, Mollie Maguire, Sydney McElroy, Jamie Fiel, Christina Cummings, Olivia Tattory, Becky Warrington, Christina Renzulli, Liz Obert-Thorn, Laura Veisz,  Jill Herion, Elisa Grant, Kelly McClendon,  Jen Reedman

Team Period 2: Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller, Kim Roldan, Sydney McElroy, Lauren Coppotelli, Kate Dixon, Olivia Tattory, Becky Warrington, Christina Renzulli, Lindsey Kanter, Andrea Lee, Lauren Aaron, Elisa Grant, Shin Young Park, Jen Reedman

Team Period 3: Rachel Riccardo (c), Kim Roldan, Mollie Maguire, Lauren Coppotelli, Olivia Tattory, Christina Cummings, Kate Dixon, Becky Warrington, Laura Veisz, Liz Obert-Thorn, Shin Young Park,  Jill Herion, Lauren Aaron, Andrea Lee, Lindsey Kanter

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vs. Unionville (Scrimmage)   3/14/04

The Hibernian Banshees hosted the Unionville2 side for a smash mouth three 25 minute periods today and prevailed against a tough side 29 - 7.  The Banshees had a team picture taken under the posts prior to the start of the match.  That always makes me feel a bit nervous!!  The referee for our match was former US Eagle lance Manga, always an honor to be at the same venue as Lance.  The game started out with the Banshees playing against the 15 Unionville girls and their two coaches on the field as well.  They were giving their girls tactical help.  The Banshees just played their own game.  The play was stiff and fierce for the entire 25 minute period with possession going in favor of the Banshees for much of the time but we just couldn't score.  AT the 25 minute mark from a lineout Captain Rachel Riccardo scored after many hands had touched the ball in a nice movement from about 30 meters out.  Liz Overt-Thorn's conversion attempt was no good and the period ended 5 -0

The second period started after a round of substitutions and the Banshees took off form there.  The girls got a little bunched up and the Unionville outside center was able to run around us and score a try under the posts which was converted, 5 - 7.  The play was spirited and the Banshees launched some long runs of their own but were unable to finish.  We were awarded a Penalty which Lindsey Kanter tapped to her self and scored in the corner.  She was not able to convert the try 10 - 7.  The Banshees were really playing some tough rugby and I am happy to know I wasn't out there.  Solid effort girls.  From a line out Jen Potoczny got out in the open and ran about 30 yards before she was caught from behind.  The ensuing support won the ball and Rachel rumbled in for her second score of the day.  Kanter made this conversion the score was now 17 - 7.  We came right back down the field from the kick off and Jamie got into the try zone but wasn't able to touch the ball down for a score so the period ended at 17 - 7.  The hitting was great in this period with big hits coming from Mollie, Andrea, Laura V. and Olivia.  The support was outstanding all around the field.

The last period saw real nice running and some good use of the fend (straight arm) in the open field.  The girls were really clicking and were applying some tremendous pressure.  Unionville kept trying but the Banshees kept them pinned down most of this period.  From a defensive scrum Christina passed to Lindsey who dashed for a try the she also converted to make the score 24 - 7.  That was at the 18th minute.  At the 23rd minute Lindsey scored her third try of the match from some real nice movement that all of the girls had their hands  on the ball.  She missed this conversion 29 - 7.  That ended at this score.  The Banshees lineout play was excellent as well as their overall approach to this game.  Congrats Girls!!  We are all proud of you.  The player of the Match was Lindsey Kanter with 3 trys and 2 conversions, that's a 19 point day.  Much thanks to the McClendons for taking the jerseys and washing them.  Let's all be at practice Tuesday & Thursday this week as we are home this Sunday and we want to build some momentum.  Sorry to that Jill Herion hurt her knee at softball, we will miss her.  You'll be back Murph

Team Period 1: Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller, Mollie Maguire, Jen Potoczny, Sydney McElroy,  Olivia Tattory, Kate Dixon, Lauren Coppotelli,  Becky Marseglia, Liz Obert-Thorn, Laura Veisz,  Elisa Grant, Kelly McClendon, Christina Renzulli, Jen Reedman,

Team Period 2: Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller, Kim Roldan, Jen Potoczny, Sydney McElroy, Olivia Tattory, Jamie Fiel, Lauren Coppotelli, Becky Marseglia, Liz Obert-Thorn, Andrea Lee, Lindsey Kanter, Lauren Aaron, Shin Young Park, Jen Reedman

Team Period 3: Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller / Becky Marseglia, Mollie Maguire, Jen Reedman, Sydney McElroy / Jamie Fiel, Kate Dixon, Elisa Grant, Olivia Tattory, Christina Renzulli, Liz Obert-Thorn, Shin Young Park, Kelly McClendon, Lauren Aaron, Laura Veisz, Liz Obert-Thorn

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vs. West Carroll   3/21/04

Sunday, March 21st, the 2004 Banshees hosted their first home league match against the West Carroll Marauders from Maryland at the Poplar Street Park at 1:00 PM.  The score of the a-Side match was 10 - 0 in favor of the Marauders.  They scored an unconverted try in each half.  The Marauders were a bit bigger than us in size to a person however, they were much bigger than us in game preparation.  I guess that could come from a three hour car ride....... The Banshees started off sluggish for the first ten minutes and started playing with much more intensity in the second part of the first half.  We came close to scoring only twice in the half but the West Carroll defense would not let us.  I noticed some spirited ply from Becky Warrington, Patty Miller and Rachel Riccardo but we just didn't have enough to finish.  In the second half the Banshees kicked off to start and came out hard and so did the Marauders.  This was a great game to watch because both sides played well.  We had a certain amount of toughness about us but that was not enough to get us into the try zone.  We were out played in the scrums an in the centers.  Lineouts were good and we kicked the ball well too.  Our tackling was good also.  The Banshees just didn't have what it took to win this one.  This day should hu8mble us a little as we can see that we just can't show up and win both rugby games. We have to prepare mentally before each game so we can come out ready to go and take it to the opposition.      

Team: Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller, Jen Potoczny, Sydney McElroy, Lauren Coppotelli, Olivia Tattory, Kate Dixon, Becky Warrington, Christina Renzulli, Liz Obert-Thorn, Laura Veisz,  Elisa Grant, Kelly McClendon, Andrea Lee, Lindsey Kanter

 Players of the Day:  Olivia Tattory and  Becky Warrington

B-Side: The second match was a 35 minute match that featured the return of Nicole Mazzachi to the Banshees.  This match was won by the Banshees 10 - 0.  We had a West Carroll girl play prop for us in this one.  This game was all Banshees from start to finish.  Sometimes  these games go that way.  Patty Miller was hooking the ball nicely and doing a great job with the throw ins to Sidney in the lineouts.  Olivia was a force to be reckoned with in this match as was Lindsey.  The only Banshees try of the game came form a nice movement that had a big run from Becky Warrington to move us close to the goal line.  Several girls had their hands on the ball and Lauren Coppotelli was able to streak to the corner and get around to the posts for the try at the 21st minute.  Lindsey converted and we lead 7 - 0.  At the 27th minute we were awarded a penalty and Lindsey coolly kicked a 30 yard penalty kick to make the score 10 - 0.  A bit more Banshee style rugby and the match ended 10 - 0.  My hats off to the Banshees for coming back and wining this second game.  It is never fun to loose and you girls finished the day off right.  Thank You

Team:  Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller, West Carroll Guest, Sydney McElroy,  Lauren Coppotelli, Olivia Tattory, Nicole Mazzachi, Becky Warrington, Christina Renzulli, Liz Obert-Thorn, Shin Park, Laura Veisz,  Lauren Lee, Andrea Lee, Lindsey Kanter

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vs. Unionville   3/28/04

The Banshees traveled to Chadds Ford, Pa. to square off against Unionville 2 for a 12:45 start.  This was Homecoming Day for the Unionville side, they had scheduled six different matches as part of the celebration.  Our match was to be the second one of the day.  So, 14 Banshees and Peg McGuire (Mollie's sister) took the field to play and boy did they ever, 57 - 0.  WOW!!  I was quite nervous about our numbers going in but the girls really stepped up and played hard.  The second game was also a win for the Banshees at 12 - 0.  That was 11 tries and 7 conversions total for the day. NICE!!

The A-Side:  The Banshees started out strong from the opening kickoff and had the ball for the first four minutes and really drove the ball right at them.  At the six minute mark we were awarded a penalty, Lindsey Kanter tapped and ran, Rachel got the ball in support and found Becky M. who in turn feed Elise who scored the first try of the day.  Lindsey missed the conversion, score 5 - 0.  After that we still kept the ball and Laura V. had a nice run down the weakside. On the next play scrumhalf Christina gat twisted up with her opposite and turned her ankle.  Jamie Fiel also got banged up.  they both took a minute and we gave them some magic water, we had no substitutions .... and they played on.  At the 22nd minute Liz streaked down the side line from a nice play set up by Jamie and Rachel.  Lindsey's conversion was true, the score 12 - 0.  The banshees started to play downhill rugby and at the 27th minute Rachel scored the first of her three tries.  She was just about unstoppable.  Lindsey again made the conversion, the score 19 - 0.  On the ensuing kickoff back to us Olivia had a tremendous run and passed to Liz who also gained great yardage but was stopped short of a score.  NICE!!  At the 30th minute Rachel scored try Number 2 from good work by Kelly, Laura V., and Lauren C. who made a beautiful pass to Rachel.  Lindsey's conversion hit the crossbar but bounced in good, the score at the half 26 - 0.  The start of the second half had relentless pressure from the girls and at the four minute mark Laura Veisz  scored her first try of the season on some nice passes and runs by Elise and Rachel.  The conversion was missed, the score 31 - 0.  A beautiful play happened shortly after that when Lindsey made a great break ahead and made a beautiful pass to Jen who had a brilliant run and pass to the sprinting Liz just forward and touched down but the ref said no try.  In the 13th minute form their scrum Olivia picked up a loose ball and ran down the sideline to score her first try of the season.  Lindsey connected on the conversion, the score 38 - 0.  Christina, who was really hobbling at this point, was still making great passes feeding her backs.  She played tough.  Olivia and Kelly hooked up on a nice run with Kelly scoring a try, breaking a tackle along the way.  Lindsey was again good, the score 45 - 0.  On the ensuing kickoff we lost possession and Mollie made a huge hit on one of their girls and the ball popped out about 10 feet, so cool.  There was a nice movement from a penalty tap that had Lauren C. pass to Laura V. to Kelly then out to Jen.  From the tackle the ball went from Rachel to Elise to Becky Marseglia who scored her first try of the season.  Lindsey's conversion was good, the score 52 - 0.  Winger Shin Park had a huge tackle that I felt from the sidelines. NICE.  A minute later Shin ran toward the tryline and was stopped.  She bounced and crawled over the line but the ref said no score.  Captain Rachel finished the scoring at the 32nd minute mark with another strong run.  This time Lindsey missed the conversion attempt, the score 57 - 0 in favor of the Banshees.  the game was a nice one to watch and seemed that there was good spirit on both sides.  We are proud.

Team: Rachel Riccardo (c), Becky Marseglia, Mollie McGuire, Jamie Fiel, Peg McGuire, Olivia Tattory, Elisa Grant, Lauren Coppotelli, Christina Renzulli, Liz Obert-Thorn, Shin Park, Lindsey Kanter, Kelly McClendon, Laura Veisz, Jennifer Reedman

 Players of the Day:  Olivia Tattory and  Christina Renzulli

B-Side: The second match saw the Banshees beat the Unionville seconds 12 - 0.  We borrowed two girls from Unionville to replace our banged up Jamie and Christina.  This game was a showcase game for Olivia Tattory.  She made numerous breaks down the field.  Laura Veisz, Lauren Coppotelli, Liz Obert-Thorn also had some good runs.  At the 8th minute Rachel scored a try from a lineout that was so nice to see.  Lindsey missed this conversion, the score 5 - 0.   Jen Reedman made some nice movements coming into the backline at pace several times.   At the 19th minute Mollie McGuire scored her first try of the season from a penalty tap.  That score came from passes from Rachel and Becky M.  SWEET!!  Lindsey made this conversion, the score 12 - 0.  The girls started using some clearing kicks to get out of some jams as the Unionville girls were getting close to our goal line.  Jen Reedman made a try saving tackle near our goal line to preserve the shut out. Laura and Olivia made some strong runs to gain a lot of ground.  Nice work girls.

This week we all have to be training to build on this.  I can assure you that the Warwick girls will be a lot more for us than Unionville.  Practice for ALL Tuesday and Thursday.  We are all proud of you guys!!! Murph

Team:  Rachel Riccardo (c), Mollie McGuire, Unionville Guest, Unionville Guest, Peg McGuire, Olivia Tattory, Elisa Grant, Lauren Coppotelli, Becky Marseglia, Liz Obert-Thorn, Shin Park, Lindsey Kanter, Kelly McClendon, Laura Veisz, Jennifer Reedman

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vs. Warwick   4/04/04

The A-Side:  The weather was frigid, windy and horrible cold.  Really.  17 girls came out to play a very strong 3 - 0 team in Warwick.  They had good size and some terrific runners and they got good game out of us, a very good game.  the match was going our way in the second half.  I think we just ran out of time.  But we only get 60 minutes to do our stuff in.  So credit has to go to Warwick for holding on for the win.  We were penalized a lot in this game, probably way more than I would have blown the whistle.  The referee had a special dialog with our Rachel.  The Warwick Club spent about the first 10 minutes inside of our half of the field and were stopped by the Banshees with good tackling and good running in to take that pressure off.  At the 18th minute their #13 scored a try by running in from a penalty tap play.  The conversion missed 0 - 5.  The Banshees put some pressure on them for some time but were stopped or mishandled the ball to end any threats.  We had movement to get the ball outside but the Warwick girls were able to stop us or turn us back inside toward their support.  At the 30 minute mark, Warwick scored from a 5 meter scrum.  Their #10 was given the ball and she just got into goal.  The conversion missed, the score 0 - 10.  Half.  It hurts when they score at the end of the half.  The second half was much more favorable to us.  We had some penalties go our way and some nice runs form Rachel, Lauren C. and Laura V.  We also had some nice defense from Liz, Lindsey and Laura V.  The lineouts were good and the scrums remained uncontested.  Becky W. had some nice breaks into space.  We were beaten by them to the breakdown (tackle) too many times.  Can't afford that.  We spent the last 10 minutes inside their 22 meter line trying to get one in goal.  Rachel finally crashed in but the ref didn't see it and took the score away.  He gave us a five meter scrum and we didn't execute.  The final score 0 - 10

Team: Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller, Mollie McGuire, Jamie Fiel, Sydney McElroy, Olivia Tattory, Lauren Coppotelli, Becky Warrington, Christina Renzulli, Liz Obert-Thorn, Andrea Lee, Lindsey Kanter, Kelly McClendon, Laura Veisz, Jennifer Reedman

Subs:  Jen Potoczny

B-Side: The second game was 5 - 0 win for us.  I give you guys so much credit for taking it to the Warwick girls this time around.  My hands were so cold I could barely write.  The Banshees were not about to lose two in one day and came out fired up.  The play was fierce as both sides were determined.  Lindsey and her opposite collided hard and Lindsey left the game with a hurt jaw, ouch.  Our only score of the game came from a penalty play at the 13 minute mark.  The ball went through Becky W., Olivia, Liz, Andrea, Kelly to Jen Reedman who touched down near the corner, beautiful.  The conversion missed and we held on to win 5 - 0.

Team:  Rachel Riccardo (c), Guest, Mollie McGuire, Jamie Fiel, Sydney McElroy, Jen Potoczny, Lauren Coppotelli, Becky Warrington, Laura Veisz, Liz Obert-Thorn, Kelly McClendon, Lindsey Kanter, Lauren Aaron, Andrea Lee, Jennifer Reedman

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vs. Archbishop Ryan   4/18/04

The A-Side:  The weather was sunny and warm so the Banshees broke out their summer whites jerseys.  The Banshees won this game 10 - 5.  This was a hard fought match with the Banshees trailing at the half 0 - 5.  They kicked off to us and we responded with great pressure.  Good running and clearing kicks from Liz kept them away from our goal line.  We were penalized a lot in the first half for offsides and lifting in the front row.  From a 5 meter scrum an Archbishop Ryan forward streaked in for an unconverted try at the 12 minute mark.  Score 0 - 5. Notable players in the first half were Jen R., Liz, Patty, Lindsey, Lauren A. and Laura V.  We were upped the pressure near the end of the first half but were unable to convert this effort in to scoring opportunities.  We were not very quick to the break downs, I thinks that this hurt our chances.

The second half started with the momentum going our way.  We were not going to be denied in this half and you girls really started to come after them.  Our first score came from a penalty that Rachel tapped and rumbled in for the score, at the 43rd minute.  Lindsey was not able to convert and the score was knotted at 5 - 5.  Becky W. picked up from the #8 spot and feed Laura V.  Nice.  Rachel, Patty and Laura were really having a great time out there.  The Lineouts were dominated by Sydney.  Patty and Sydney were in sync enabling us to launch some nice attacks from all the lineouts.  One time the ball went from Patty to Sydney to Mollie then from a maul to Liz to Kelly and out to Lauren A.  Nice.  This second half was hotly contested.  The AR girls were getting knocked around pretty good by the Banshees but they never gave up.  At the 57th minute, Becky W. scored the game winning try from a beautiful lineout won by us, excellent job guys!  The conversion was missed and we took the lead 10 - 5.  Laura V. and Andrea had some hits to keep them down.  Liz used her talented foot to keep the ball out of our end of the field.  There was some terrific defense in the last 9 minutes by the entire squad.  AR was in inside our 10 meter line trying with all they had to score and were denied every single time.  Gut check time for the Banshees and they came through to preserve the win.  The final score 10 - 5.  

Special Thanks: to Christina and Steph for handling refreshments on this very hot day

Team: Rachel Riccardo (c), Patty Miller, Mollie McGuire, Leah, Sydney McElroy, Jen Potoczny, Andrea Lee, Becky Warrington, Kelly McClendon, Liz Obert-Thorn, Laura Veisz, Lindsey Kanter, Lauren Aaron, Shin Park, Jennifer Reedman

Players of the Day:  Sydney McElroy and Becky Warrington

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vs. Lansdale Catholic   4/25/04