Saint Joseph Academy Battles Through to National Title

It was a wild and historic season for the Saint Joseph Academy girls rugby team out of Ohio, as St. Joe's often considered a strong program, but wasn't a team that you found near the top of the Girls National Championships.

But this year, with the championships split between clubs (at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash.) and single-school teams (at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.), travel was a little bit easier for some and Saint Joseph shone in a tough competition.

It wasn't easy, by any stretch. The Jaguars met Hawaii champion Kahuku HS in the opening round. In a back-and-forth game, Saint Joseph got two tries from Rachael Kean - both off penalty quick-taps - and one from prop Annie Rolf. Regina Baldado kicked two crucial conversions, and the Jaguars held on 19-17. The teams exchanged gifts after the game and Kean and Rolf, were named the best players by Kahuku.

Annie Rolf, left, and Marie Hirzel, right. Photo courtesy Saint Joseph Academy.

So on to Day Two and the semifinals against Wisconsin's Divine Savior Holy Angels, winner of multiple national titles. Saint Joseph had never beaten DSHA before, and the Wisconsinites looked to be set to win again, as they led 17-12 at the break. But Saint Joseph stormed back, with Rolf powering ahead with he physical runs up the middle, and scored one try while holding DSHA scoreless for yet another 19-17 win. Kean scored a try, while No. 8 Maeve Mullen scored two. Baldado's kicking was again the difference, as she slotted two conversions to one from DSHA.

That set up the final on Sunday against Summit, the Colorado champs and another perennial national power. This was another close one. The teams changed ends with Summit up 14-12. But once again, Saint Joseph finished the stronger.

Kean scored two tries, and rookie Frankie Burns added one, as did Yassmine Valentine. Becky Sullivan's try sealed it 29-14.

For Saint Joseph it was about getting over the hump. Kahuku was a skilled, physical team, and a bit of an unknown for the Jaguars, but they held on. DSHA was definitely a known entity - one with an intimidating reputation and a long history of winning national titles. Somehow Saint Joseph found the wherwithall to shut them out in the second half. And Summit has never won a national title, but have been in the top four many times. Still Saint Joseph was able to best them in the second half.