Fallbrook won its 5^th consecutive Girls High School National Invitational Championship, defeating Kent 41-0 in today’s final. Kent had its opportunities for points, but the Warriors’ defense and ability to steal possession kept the shutout in place.

All American Michel Navarro was particularly damaging on the day. The flanker scored four tries, three of which originated from a quick-tap penalty near midfield. She’d spy a seam, employ a stiffarm, and pull away with excellent finishing speed. Navarro worked really well with fellow loose forwards Emma Workman and No. 8 Alexi Eich. The trio were often seen picking around the ruck and forcing Kent to scramble on defense. Workman scored two tries in that manner – the first coming off a good heads-up play, as the weakside of a ruck was left unguarded; and the second was the final dive-over after a number of piercing pick-and-goes.

Kent’s Leah Ingold played really well at flyhalf. Her defense shut down much of Fallbrook flyhalf Kayla Canett’s attempts to run with the ball – something to which she’s prone as a center – and her clearing kicks relieved some pressure and even put the Crusaders into scoring position. The only problem was the ball often ended in Fallbrook fullback Lilly Durbin’s hands, and despite her stature, she never goes down on the first tackle attempt. A great sidestep and excellent field vision, Durbin inserted into the line often, scored a try, and played her typically stellar game.

After 20 minutes, Fallbrook led 17-0, but Kent was still in the game. The half ended deep in Fallbrook’s end, as a well placed Ingold kick and tackle, and a Warrior knock-on on the wing, allowed Kent a real scoring opportunity. A couple of penalties extended the Washington team’s campaign, and the forwards tried to hammer it in. Kent crossed the line twice, and was held up. During a five-meter scrum, Emmy Link bobbled the outlet pass, and Fallbrook ran the ball out of trouble.

The Crusaders had an opportunity to score in the second half as well, as a nice, quick field switch produced an overload in the backs. McKenna Strong was inches from the try line, when Navarro came flying in from the side to wrap up the ballcarrier and push her into touch.

Hannah Savin showed off a nice boot from the tee, making a few tough conversions and several strong runs on the wing. Alex Beckett was solid from scrumhalf, following up her box kicks with smothering tackles and setting teammates up for scores.

All told, it was a well rounded performance – something we expect to see from the SoCal side – and Fallbrook’s dominance is now five years old.