Lady Mustangs Continue Dominance in CDYR and VYRA Play

The Saratoga Lady Mustangs continued their strong start this season with a pair of decisive victories this past weekend. Friday evening, the Mustang’s A side made the short trip down I-87 to Albany where they participated in a controlled scrimmage versus the newly-formed Albany County Lady Bulldogs. While their opponent put up a spirited effort, the hard running Mustangs got off to a quick start. After an Albany knock-on on the opening kickoff, Saratoga’s forwards showed impressive determination in their early rucking, pounding the ball down the field. Prop Nadia Alvarez (BHBL) powered over the try line to open Saratoga’s scoring. The Lady Mustangs continued to demonstrate their skill on the pitch, adding scores by hook Brianne Briggs (BHBL) and fly half Jess Kniskern (Stillwater). Alvarez topped off Saratoga’s scoring with her second try of the game. Despite trailing, Albany’s side showed incredible determination and spirit. A breakdown in Saratoga’s defensive line allowed the Albany wing to sprint down the sideline for a late Bulldog score. In the end, the Mustangs emerged victorious 20-5 against the tenacious, but inexperienced Albany squad. Nadia Alvarez was named player of the match for the Saratoga A side effort.

On Saturday, the Saratoga Lady Mustangs Super A’s made the trip to Rutland, Vermont, in anticipation of their second VYRA match against Upper Valley. The game was overshadowed by countless administrative blunders by the ‘host’ side including the failure to coordinate field availability with the Rutland Club. The Lady Mustang’s noon kickoff was delayed for over an hour and a half. Despite the frustrations, the Saratoga ladies remained focused on the task at hand. Upper Valley was able to field only four players for the match, borrowing five players from the Rutland Under 19 Girls team, and an additional six from Saratoga. Brianne Briggs, Nadia Alvarez, Sara McFadden, Olivia Guay, Julia Sell, and Paula Rehm graciously agreed to fill Upper Valley’s depleted ranks so that their teammates could get a game in. Saratoga quickly established dominance both in skill and determination. Quennah Holt (Bethlehem) opened the Mustang scoring with a tenacious run through the heart of the Berserker defense. Holt added two more scores before the day was over. Saratoga continued to pour it on, adding tries by Katie Dannenberg (BHBL), Jordan Scacchetti (BHBL), and Autumn Vanderveer (BHBL), who took a well timed pass from center Carly Baker (Averil Park) 35 meters down the sideline to the try zone. Rookies Shannon Dowdle (BHBL), Leah Gerlach (BHBL), and Jenny von Rosen (BHBL) made impressive debuts with the Super A’s. Dowdle’s jumping ability combined with well timed throws by hook Katie Dannenberg allowed the Lady Mustangs to dominate lineouts and maintain much needed possession time and again. Senior scrum half Emily Wexler continued to show tremendous development, controlling the pace of play and ensuring Saratoga's possessions culminated in positive yardage. The Mustang forwards dominated all aspects of set and open field play, controlling scrums and dominating in rucks despite serious effort on the part of Upper Valley. Line play by the Lady Mustangs led by Joann Pettis (BHBL), Baker and Holt was superb, demonstrating the remarkable strides the young Saratoga club has made since last season. The lone highlights for the Upper Valley side came from a trio of Mustangs. Sara McFadden (BHBL) thwarted one promising Saratoga drive by poaching the ball from a ruck, giving the Berserkers one of their few possessions of the day. Rookie Paula Rehm (Ballston Spa) proved a stalwart presence at the center of the Upper Valley line and Olivia Guay (BHBL) made two try-saving tackles, including a rundown of fullback Khirstian Carbonello (BHBL) at the try line following a 75 meter kick return. Quennah Holt’s three try performance earned her rugger of the match honors in the 30-0 victory over Upper Valley.

Saratoga's Record: Super A Team 2-0, A Team 2-0.