North Bay had a sobering experiencing at last year’s girls high school championship. For its inaugural showing, the Maryland state champion was placed in DI and faced Fallbrook, Catholic Memorial and St. Joseph’s to finish 8^th. But that’s not the end of North Bay’s story at nationals. The team is returning to the tournament this May, and its 19-12 win over 2014 Pennsylvania finalist Downingtown suggests that North Bay is on the right track.

“Entering the 2015 season, North Bay senior captains Hope Nesbitt and Katelyn Comeau, along with other team leaders, set high goals: to return and be more competitive at Nationals; and be more fit, faster and more fundamentally sound,” said Ellen Hickey, North Bay Youth and High School Commissioner. “Faced with filling big voids at flyhalf and fullback, coaches were creative with returning talent and an infusion of young athletic players. While initially not as strong as last year's side, this year's squad is shaping up to be as competitive.”

The creativity didn’t stop at the lineup; North Bay is fielding two sides, one in the stronger Rugby Pennsylvania DI, and the other in Rugby Maryland. Downingtown was the #2 team in Pennsylvania last year, dropping the title to Doylestown by one point. Downingtown was also missing the influence of Girls High School All American Joie Krahling, who was last seen in Las Vegas during the All Americans’ first-ever competition.

In the first showing of the season, both teams were understandably rusty. Downingtown got on the board halfway through the first half, as missed tackles allowed sophomore Melissa Bucellato to score. North Bay took the lead off of a scrum, as the ball worked out to senior outside center Anna Benko, whose try was converted for the 7-5 edge into the half.

Senior scrumhalf Morgan Lippert extended North Bay’s lead after the break, sneaking through loose play for a try, 12-5.

“Morgan's fiery play and hard-nosed attacking truly led the team to victory and earned her ‘girl of the match’ honors,” Hickey indicated. 

Downingtown quickly halted North Bay’s momentum, as junior Maddy Warner scored a quick try, and Ashley MacIntyre hit a difficult conversion for the 12-12 tie.

There the game stood until the final minute of play. North Bay attacked the try line but had several mauls held up in-goal. Finally, flyhalf Elisa Rivera was able to find some green, and sophomore wing Hailey Sacker – in her first game ever – slotted the conversion, 19-12. Following the raised flags, referee Anthony DeCesare blew the final whistle.

“Following the game, the coaching staffs were effusive with compliments for the other's team,” Hickey remembered. “Downingtown pointed out North Bay's powerful forwards, led by [future Lindenwood scholarship athlete] Nesbitt, controlling the scrums, lineouts and attacking the loose. They also mentioned the intimidating size and power of Rivera, who switched from No. 8 to flyhalf this year, and returning senior inside center Hannah Sample. North Bay noted Downingtown's technical rucking, tackling, ability to strip and tie up the ball, and stout defense in general.”

It was an emotional victory for North Bay and incentive to keep building toward a stronger showing at nationals. North Bay will continue the growth process at DC Ruggerfest this weekend, while the rest of Rugby Pennsylvania kicks off league play.