Saratoga Mustangs Girls A's Move to 4-0

The Saratoga Mustangs Girls A's hosted Albany-Schenenctady-Rensselaer (ASR) on Friday, May 9th at Shenantaha Creek Park in Ballston Spa, one week after soundly defeating ASR by a score of 60-0. Due to the huge game against Adirondack on Saturday for the Super A's, there were seveal call-ups from the A squad for depth, and the result was significant playing time increases for several members of the A squad. Most notable, was the relative short handedness of the pack, who was operating with only three subs. The result was similar, however, as Saratoga's speed did the damage with a reversal of tactics from the week before. This game was all about the line and, like the pack's dominance the week before, the line wracked up five of the team's six tries, on its way to a 36-0 victory, improving their record to 4-0.The day began with the slicing running of Jess Kniskern (Stillwater), whose cutback ability has continually frustrated would be tacklers and allowed her to rack up several tries on the season. Before the day was out, the senior fly-half would add another three to her total, including some great tackling, especially after being moved to scrum-half at halftime for Olivia Guay (Burnt Hills) who was pulled to ensure her availability for Saturday. Kniskern was not the only back to run roughshod on the day. Senior Paula Rehm (Ballston Spa), playing inside center, also added a score, as did freshman flanker Maranda Rotundo (Burnt Hills), who has become a savy ball carrier off of the back of rucks, but the real show of the day was provided by new comer, sophomore fullback Joya Clark (Scotia-Glenville). Clark had her second try of the season on a blazing run down the left side of the field, converted three kicks, and made some brutal tackles of ASR runners, repeatedly drawing "oohs" and "oh man's" from spectators and coaches alike. The fleet footed sophomore was also able to dish the ball to her team mates and provide solid punts that allowed Saratoga to maintain excellent field position and keep ASR on their heels for most of the game and out of Saratoga's half of the field.

There was a large difference between the past two weeks, however. Saratoga ran up a 29-0 score by halftime, but after that, ASR tightened up its defense and began stringing together sustained drives by winning consecutive rucks and using its line to get the ball to the sidelines. The second half was hard fought and Saratoga managed only one more try and a conversion kick, while using the roving fullback Clark to stop any sustained run by the faster members of ASR.

At the end of the game, the coaching staff awarded Rugger of the Match honors to Joya Clark. It was the first time she had been given the honor, although it came in only her second game. The coaching staff has great expectations for Clark and the rest of the A team as they notch another victory at the midway point of the season.