Who's The Best Girls Team in the Country?

Who is the best girls HS team in the country?

It's difficult to judge simply on results because so many teams are playing 7s, while others are playing 15s, and those different versions of rugby are ... well we used the word different but that's what they are, too different to compare directly.

Right now St. Joseph Academy is probably the best 15-a-side team in action. 

St. Joseph is 2-0 and will play Walnut Hills this weekend in a game where they are probably favored. They have plenty of talent with Sophie Roebuck and Maggie Sweeney in the forwards and Molly Zupancic, Mary McEwen, and Megan Chura part of a potent backline. They have Moon Area, Amherst, Brunswick, and Hudson left in the season, but we might see a few more teams get on the field by then, especially in Northern California.

In 7s there's a but more competition. The Charlotte Tigress are playing games all over and winning. They play non-league games and even elite 7s tournaments, and they win.

Tigress Class of Tropical 7s Girls

So are they the best 7s team? Maybe. The best 15s team? Well they are 6-0 in 15s games too.

But you have to look further afield, too. The Colorado Interscholastic Rugby Association has started, with 7s, and Summit (no surprise) is the toughest team there, albeit not invincible. Meanwhile, in Iowa they play 7s every year, so this year isn't an adjustment or a one-off; it's what they do. Southeast Polk is really, really strong in this area. They know how to play wide, and they have some players , notably  Sarah Breitsprecker, who can punish you if there's no space at all. Are they the best in the country? Iowa teams don't play outside their state usually, but their best players compete nicely when they get to college.

Majestics in Utah are looking pretty handy, too.

And finally, keep an eye on Rugby Pennsylvania, where Doylestown and Downingtown know a little bit about what they are doing. Downingtown won big last week, and Doylestown plays the same opponent, Conestoga, this weekend. We also see a non-conference game between Moon Area and Buffalo's City Honors. If this game comes off it's a nice re-boot for New York teams.

(Note: Oregon is returning to play soon but it appears to be touch rugby only. SoCal and NorCal are due to return soon. Indiana is playing but not recording scores.)

Check back for scores.

Previous Girls HS Scores.