With regards to any lengthy project or task when it comes to a team building its stock towards future dividends, it takes a steady investment into the program each day of each season. The North Haven girls’ rugby team is certainly taking that adage deep to its heart. The squad is ready to continue the slow but steady and sustained climb to the top in putting itself as one of the preeminent programs in Connecticut.

For Head Coach Cassie Bishop and the Nighthawks, they know it is an uphill climb for each contest due to the sheer numbers of players on their roster vs. others. Yet with the right focus, attitude, and effort, they know all too well that no task is insurmountable.

“We just want to play each game with everything we got. We are able to hang in there with teams that have twice our numbers,” said Bishop. “It's hard and can be a bit frustrating at times, but the team is strong and able to push through. Off the field, I just want these players to have a love for the game and environment it brings. Sharing a meal with your opponents after the game is a big part of rugby, especially with meeting and respecting these people–even though you were just tackling each other–forms a pretty special bond.”

Sara McCarthy guides the girls through the tackles and takedown on the turf as the Nighthawks’ lone senior and captain. She has certainly ascended through the captain ranks by never saying no to any mission for the team while being someone who inspires through the respect she commands.

“Sara McCarthy is overall a very talented athlete. She is a great skills player and has a great kick,” said Bishop. “She is my go-to with the team; I know she has it handled no matter what it is. She is very driven, and the other players respect her.”

Out in the backfield resides another standout for the squad in the junior class with Fiona Gao. She certainly brings intensity during games and on the practice field. Still, like a true veteran, she has a knack of knowing the precise moments to keep things light.

“Fiona Gao plays in the back line for us,” said Bishop. “She sees the field well, has good instincts, and she is always good for a laugh at practice.”

Earlier this year on April 4, North Haven faced both Staples and Fairfield Ludlowe at Staples. Despite a rough first game, the girls powered through and came out strong. Sophomore Angela Lin was named as Player of the Games for her incredible effort on the field. She scored three tries, making her the highest scorer on the team. McCarthy assisted with a conversion kick, and sophomore Tessa Boisseau had strong tackles and produced a great performance.

The team then hosted Staples on April 11 and played strong and fast. Freshman Yuhan Zhang and junior Ivelisse Rivera-Kelly were selected as Players of the Game. Zhang made great tackles on defense and proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Rivera-Kelly had great runs that got North Haven closer to the try line, and freshman Charlotte Green was the sturdiest prop and lifter.

In a limited league of clubs across the Nutmeg State, the Nighthawks currently possess the smallest squad based on their numbers. Yet one thing that they will make sure to be large on is grit and intensity for each and every opponent they line up across the field to face.

“We are the smallest team in the conference right now,” Bishop said. “So we just want to come into every game being as competitive as possible.”

While the game has been entrenched in the zeitgeist of North Haven High School for some time now, rugby still has much more room to grow within the public conscience of the local community. This spring for the remainder of the run, Bishop and the Nighthawks are less focused on wins and losses on the scoreboard. They are more honed in on retaining the current crop of competitors and recruiting future stars for long-term sustained success.

“This season, I am focused on retention; if we keep getting new players every season, that is great, but we have to make sure we are getting the entire team back each season while also recruiting and spreading the sport of rugby,” said Bishop. “I know it has been around North Haven for a while as a club team, but it is still a pretty new concept to a lot of people.”

The 2024 North Haven roster is comprised of seniors in McCarthy; juniors with Chelsea Chin-mook, Gao, Rivera-Kelly, Zayna Saidi; sophomores of Boisseau, Ella Couture, Lin, Mya Spadacenta; plus freshmen Greene and Zhang.

Bishop is assisted by Kearney Worthington, as both have been with the Nighthawks for two seasons now.

2024 North Haven Girls’ Rugby Team Regular Season Schedule

Thursday, April 4: at Staples w/ Fairfield Ludlowe at 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 11: vs. Staples at 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 25: at Fairfield Ludlowe at 5 p.m.

Thursday, May 2: at Ridgefield w/ Darien at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 9: vs. Simsbury at 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 23: vs. Simsbury at 6 p.m.