Corning Girls Comeback Nets First Ever State Title

06.07.2023

Corning Lions Rugby Club High School Girls defeated Orchard Park Rugby Club 22-20 on Sunday to claim the program's first Rugby NY State Championship.

Led by captain and fullback Mykaela Reed as well as the brilliant play of No. 8 Kendra Close, Corning was able to overcome a 20-10 second half deficit to surprise six-time defending champion Orchard Park.

A closely contested match throughout, Corning was able to break through first with a diving try by Close after line breaks by Kaydence Ector and Zoe Harmer. Orchard Park was undeterred and quickly tied the score at 5-5 with a try by Madison Moeller. Close would strike again just before the break giving Corning a 10-5 lead going into halftime.

Right after halftime Annie Henrich, who has been impressive all season, went to work and scored twice to give Orchard Park its first lead 15-10. Orchard Park wasn’t done as Gia Ditto scooped up a loose ball and scampered in to take a 20-10 lead.

It was time for Corning to show its mettle. With just over five minutes remaining, Orchard Park was penalized and Reed was able to weave through the defense on a quick tap to close the gap to 20-15.

With time ticking away, Tori Holmes found a seam in the Orchard Park defense, breaking two tackles and tiptoeing down the sideline. She pulled away from the last defender to dot down the final score of the afternoon. Julia Gridley would make the conversion to give the Lions a 22-20 lead. A final break by Orchard Park would go wanting as Corning held on to win its first Rugby NY state title.

“I think our biggest accomplishment during the game was conquering ourselves mentally,” said senior flyhalf Kathryn Ouyang. “Physically, we were more than prepared and able to win, but the majority of the work that paid off pertained to mental toughness: staying calm and collected. I believe that this was the best game each of us has ever played because we overcame ourselves.”

In the Bronze medal match, City Honors High School (Buffalo) defeated Hamburg 32-12.

—Rob Sliwinski

Corning Girls Comeback Nets First Ever State Title

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