What a way to start the history books. The Girls High School All Americans (GHSAAs), powered by ATAVUS, played their first-ever 15s match and won 58-0 against the British Columbia U18s in Canada. While the provincial side never slacked in effort, the visitors dominated possession and aggression while the bench emptied during the 70-minute match.

The game got off to a cracking good start, as South Bay power runners Rian Moala and Mililani Leui introduced the hosts to the physicality in store. Once the ball crossed into Canadian territory, it worked wide to wing Nia Toliver, who muscled and spun her way through a gaggle of defenders for a 40-meter try. B.C. immediately took note, but Toliver still banked four tries before being subbed out.

Toliver was also very important on defense. Most memorably, she chased down a huge breakaway that should have been B.C.’s first try. The ICEF player caught the ballcarrier meters from the line and a turnover soon followed. When caught in its own end, the All American defense knew when to surge. Captain Leah Ingold was especially adept at disrupting action around the breakdown, and outside center Sui A’au caused the ruck to shudder.

The All Americans did well to turn B.C.’s mistakes into scores. A penalty kick that didn’t go to touch was well returned by fullback Kayla Canett. She linked up with Fallbrook teammate Emma Workman, who tore away and offloaded to Toliver just before being driven to touch. The wing angled back toward the posts and pulled away for try number two, 10-0.

Linebreaks came from every position – the A’au sisters were great – but many were slowly supported. It's one of a few areas of needed improvement, along with breakdown penalties. But the ballcarriers were well aware of their isolation, and on most occasions, they kept driving their feet and preventing the poach.

An example of such occurred at the 28-minute mark. B.C. attempted to set up a kick-and-chase in the USA’s end, but no one chased. So Canett gathered the ball easily, broke toward the sideline, and passed to replacement wing Daz Williams out of contact. The track star showcased her blitzing speed – so much so that no one was in range when she was caught at the line. She caused just enough disruption to prevent her tackler from stealing the ball, and allowed the Americans to work toward another score.

Before try number three occurred, the referee called the GHSAAs in for some instruction. There were too many breakdown infractions, so much so that a yellow card was issued later in the game. B.C. used its penalty for a lineout, which sailed over the top, and ended in Moala’s hands for a big run. Flyhalf Ingold took a look at the defense, sent a little dummy pass, and sped into the try zone, 15-0.

Ingold was great on the day. She showed exceptional composure and is particularly poised when waiting for the defense to collapse on her before sending the ball. On multiple occasions, her work put players like Weigel, Sui A’au, and Toliver into the open space where they flourish.

Toliver ended the half with her third try after a big A’au break, and Ingold’s conversion made it 22-0 into the half.

Lots of new faces took the pitch and did well to keep the pace at full throttle and further tire B.C. Adi Tamaivena was a nice addition in the forwards and was rewarded with a try, while Williams, Toliver, and wing Becca Jane Rosko (2) finished off solid forward work with pull-away scores. The team’s youngest player, Emily Henrich, nearly scored as well, but like Williams’ almost-try, was caught at the line and retained possession long enough to get it to Rosko in support.

There is a lot of talent on the GHSAA squad, and the team will aim for win number two on Sunday. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the host will have live-streaming capabilities this weekend; however, the game will be available on YouTube after the fact.