The Shoreline Spartan girls’ high school rugby team kicked off their season, teaming with the Fairfield High School girls’ rugby club to participate in the Beast of the East tournament in Portsmouth, RI on April 23. This was the first year the collegiate tournament opened entry to high school teams, playing 7’s rugby.

The players endured the cold and pouring rain and did not disappoint. After four hard fought matches, the team brought home two wins, placing fourth overall out of the seven girls’ high school teams there. For many of the players, this was their first game or first tournament they participated in.

In the first match, the Fairfield Spartans came out strong, winning 15-10 versus Belmont High School Blue. Following this, the team took a second win against the New Hampshire Ospreys, winning 22-15. The two wins placed the Spartans in the top four of the bracket and into the semifinals. The Spartans then lost 37-0 against the Barbarians, which placed them in the third place match against the NH Ospreys. The Ospreys won the rematch 25-15.

Rugger of the day from the Spartans was Carrigan Mack with some quick breakaways, key tackles, and game-winning scores! Honorable mentions go to Carlee Harwood for some incredible tackles and Saylor Thomas for some big plays and her first score in her first rugby tournament.

On April 27, the Spartans traveled with only seven players for a 7’s game against North Haven. Many new players got their first taste of rugby, and others were playing new positions for the first time.

Despite the changes, the team came out strong and won 26-5 with Carlee Harwood leading the way, scoring three out of the four tries, and Sofia Greene successfully making three out the four conversion kicks. In the second game, the Spartans were down a player and lost 20-14. Rugger of the match went to to Makenna Sullivan with exceptional tackles, breakaways and scores.

The Spartans host a round robin against North Haven and Staples High School at Morgan High school on Thursday, May 4 at 5 p.m.

The Shoreline Spartans girls’ rugby roster is comprised of Clinton’s Layla Dunn (captain), Tess Vallas, Aleia Aleman, and Skyla Ortiz; Westbrook’s Abby Demers; Carrigan Mack (Plainville); Guilford’s Sofia Greene (captain), Makenna Sullivan and Addi Smith; Maria Ceniglio of East Haddam; Killingworth’s Carlee Harwood, Bethany Harwood and Emma Sirignano; Saylor Thomas of Haddam, and Jamie House of Higganum.