The Fallbrook Girls rugby team continues to dominate Southern California Girls High School Division 1 and Open Divisions.

The Division I team finished Week 3 of competition building upon their ten-game winning streak. Led by captains Tiahna Padilla and Jordan Duncan, who have announced commitments to Harvard University and Dartmouth College, the D1 team continues a superb defensive performance and has not allowed a try yet. 

In Week 3, all positions and players found ways to score in games against well-coached Rancho Bernardo and Poway High School teams. Tiahna Padilla led Fallbrook with six tries, while Liberty Benitez added five tries and 14 conversions for 53 points on the weekend.

Head Coach John Duncan said the comfortable wins aren't making his squad overconfident.

“Keeping they team focused isn’t too difficult due to their love of the game, however preserving the intensity is a struggle," said Duncan. "One technique I use is to have each player to review their previous games played and set weekly goals for the upcoming week.”

For example, center Liberty Benitez said her goals were: Make more positive tackles and sustain kicking proficiency, adding that after the weekend she was happy with her tackling but she's had better kicking days. 

Also in action was the High School Open Division team, which now sits 5-1 on the season.

The Open team has been plagued with injuries going into Week 3 with the loss of their captain in Week 1, along with the COVID issues every team has to deal with.

This week Fallbrook's Open team went 2-1, dropping their initial game to Torrey Pines High School. Sophomore scrumhalf Cora Haughey said the team had to pick themselves up after a rare loss.

“We all took a deep breath, absorbed the moment and discussed the need to work harder to not be in this position again,” she said. Following the initial loss, Fallbrook finished strong with victories against Tesoro and Long Beach Poly.

Fallbrook is still recruiting players and this week freshman newcomer Kailey Peet made her debut. Not new to rugby, Peet has played with the local coed Fallbrook Club in previous years.

“The difference I have experienced with this program is it feels more like a team," she said. "The way the coaches approach drills and the games make rugby more fun and enjoyable. The girls are more inviting and interested in playing mistake free rugby and holding each other accountable. It feels as if we are a real family.”

Fallbrook is looking ahead to, among other competitions, the Tropical 7s in Florida in April.

—Erik Benitez