One-Try Match Sets Tone for Girls GNC
One-Try Match Sets Tone for Girls GNC
NorCal, Washington, and Colorado went 2-0 at the Girls U19 bracket on Day One of the Great Northwest Challenge.
But while there was plenty of action, the major game was probably Colorado vs Montana, a game that came down to one try.
Montana and Colorado came into the game with Montana having lost 29-22 to Iowa on a comeback. Colorado had won their opener comfortably against Iowa.
But this game saw a strange matchup Montana controlled a ton of possession and threatened the Colorado line repeatedly. The Montana players insisted they got the ball down on the ground in-goal, but they were called held-up, or turned over, several times. Scrumhalf Riley Molinario started to find more width to their attack and it worked. Wren Waliser was an imposing runner as was lock Catherine Hart and No. 8 Ella Biggins.
Somehow Colorado held on. And when they did get a turnover, they were able to put Montana under pressure with their kicking.
Finally, after weathering plenty of pressure in their 22, Colorado was able to kick clear and chase. Some smart offloads and ball movement put center Lucy Walker through. Walker was outstanding for Colorado, making massive hits, kicking for distance, and the try. It was all they needed.
This entire pool was exciting, with late tries from Claire Meislahn, Morgan Roth, and Sienna Lewis to seal a 29-22 comeback from a 17-12 deficit.
Northern California got two tries from Liongi Aiolupo and two from Taylor Cohen in an impressive victory over Idaho.
And King Major ended up scoring three on the day, including two in their win over Oregon, as the Grizzlies rolled to an impressive 2-0.
And defending champs Washington were impressive with two shutout wins. Talent ID Day bronco winner Kalilah Tuani captained the side and was brilliant at flyhalf, scoring three tries, while Emelia Stoppa scored three tries over two games and Heaven Samuels was also a multiple scorer.
They were fast, elusive, and thunderingly physical in tight.
This sets up the semifinals with Washington taking on Colorado and NorCal facing Arizona.
