The Midwest Championship is an annual highlight for girls high schools. Outside of nationals, where else do so many state champions and regional powers compete against each other? Teams that typically dominate their leagues back home, convene once per year and test themselves against their peers. Several of last weekend's teams are heading to national championships (May 16-17), top among them Divine Savior Holy Angels. The Wisconsin side proved once again that it is the team-to-beat, going 3-0 and relying on a wealth of reserves to get there.

 

It was a rainy and cold weekend in Elkhart, Ind., and DSHA saw some important players – like Taylor Bragg-Brock and Katie Bougie – miss game time. But the always-strong Maggie Brennan and Cat MacPherson were able to keep the team focused while new players rolled onto the pitch, and the Wisconsin state champ beat Hudson 64-10 and Penn 39-5 on day one.

“We played really clinically against them,” Klein said of the team’s opener against Hudson. “I was actually shocked by our start because I thought the cold was going to eat us alive. As the day wore on, it [the weather] got frustrating.”

Indiana’s Penn, which had defeated Armstrong 10-5 in its opener, awaited in the semis. DSHA took a 10-0 lead at half, and then opened it up in the second half, 39-5.

“Those scores seem lopsided, but those teams are still very good,” Klein said. “We just have to be on top of our game to beat them. Armstrong, for instance, took a few yellow cards against St. Joe’s, they took advantage and it steamrolled.”

That left St. Joseph’s Academy, which was the story of the tournament, in Sunday’s final. The Ohio state champion went 2-0 defeating Warsaw (Ind.) 41-7 and Armstrong 39-0 on Saturday.

Klein watched St. Joe’s game against the Minnesota state champ. “I knew it was going to be a challenge,” he said. “Any time you watch a team play, and there are no weaknesses 1-15, you know a good match is coming. It was the best St. Joe’s team I’ve seen in a while.”

Divine Savior was able to take an early lead, but St. Joe’s was always in striking distance. Back-to-back scores allowed the Dashers to take a 24-12 lead, and with 11 minutes to go, the Ohio champ dotted down, 24-17. DSHA was able to hold on, however, for the Midwest title.

“They’re a complete team,” Klein said. “They had some power in the pack, and they were mobile, too. There weren’t many holes in the backline; the outside center was outstanding and the fullback saved them a few times, stopping our breaks with wonderful tackles. The tackling in general was outstanding. They played good, physical rugby, and it was a heck of a game.”

Klein was just as effusive for his players, who weathered an ever-changing lineup.

“We had a couple of injuries from the fall and needed to find some people to replace some things,” Klein said. “We have lots of girls this year, so we could go through our depth. But we’re six people different from the starting 15 in the fall, when we were at our strongest. But I’m not sure if we’re as good as or better than we were, given the way that we played this weekend.

“What I find so amazing is that players will come in, and you don’t know what they’re going to be able to do, because they haven’t played at that level yet,” Klein added. “It’s amazing how they step up when you need it, and the subs all did it.”

As for St. Joe’s, Klein confirmed that the team is worthy of a DI nomination at nationals. Although Division I has not been decided yet, it’s already shaping up to be interesting. Many of the regulars have had hiccups outside of the regular season – Fallbrook dropped a couple of tournament games to NorCal teams, Catholic Memorial lost to Plainfield (although made up for it Sunday), Sacramento played Danville to within three points – lending an even more competitive feeling to the tournament.

“I always feel like nationals is up in the air,” Klein said. “But it really depends on where you get seeded,” and the strength of all eight teams.

DSHA, the most successful single-school team in the country, will warm up for the May 16-17 national championship with a friendly against Oak Creek. The DI and DII competitions should be announced shortly.

Girls HS Midwest Championship

Championship: Divine Savior 24-17 St. Joseph’s

 

3rd Place: Penn 25-21 Armstrong

5th Place: Catholic Memorial 15-10 Plainfield

7th Place: Warsaw 37-33 Hudson

 

Semifinals

Divine Savior 39-5 Penn

St. Joseph’s 39-0 Armstrong

 

Consolation Semifinals

Catholic Memorial 32-7 Hudson

Plainfield 17-5 Warsaw

 

Quarterfinals

Divine Savior 64-10 Hudson

Penn 15-5 Catholic Memorial

Armstrong 10-5 Plainfield

St. Joseph’s 41-7 Warsaw