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(Surfers bully their way into DI final. Dobson Images.)
San Diego rallied from its first-half deficit to defeat Atlanta 21-10 in the Women’s DI National Club semifinal. The Surfers will face NOVA, which topped Seattle 25-23 in its semi, in the DI Championship Sunday.
Atlanta had the edge in the first half, putting up 10 points to San Diego’s seven. The southern California team had issues adjusting to the Harlequins style of play, one they’d never really played before.
“The forwards took quick punches off the rucks,” Surfer backs captain Kirstin Hartos said, “and their flyhalf, Heather Hale, relied heavily on her boot. As a result, we were conservative on defense, and possession and territory was back and forth in the beginning of the game.”
Atlanta scored first, breaking to the weakside with San Diego slow to slide field as the Harlequins switched field. 5-0.
The Surfers got their seven points when Mandy Wilson inserted into the back line and beat out defenders for the final 20 meters. Daralisa Cheung slotted the extras, 7-5.
Miscommunication during lineout defense allowed the Harlequins final try in the corner. Due to conflicting lines on the pitch (a soccer field), SD wasn’t actually lined up on the try line and the chaos allowed ATL’s to dot down, 10-7.
“We could’ve got down on ourselves after that score,” Hartos said, “but we stayed positive and confident. We maintained our composure and pushed back after our mistakes.”
Into the second half, although the Surfers upped their game, the contest was still pretty even. But then the Surfers put in the back-breaker. After some time camped out inside the Harlequins’ 22 meter, Liz Strohecker picked and dove over the line for a try. Atlanta had two players on the ball, but the ref blew the whistle for the try. Cheung slotted the conversion for the 14-10.
“At that point, there were only 15 minutes left,” Hartos remembered, “and the tide had turned in our favor by then. After that score, Atlanta seemed frustrated, and it was mentally tough for them.”
The effectiveness of Atlanta’s kicking game lessened, as San Diego was able to convert some clearing kicks into gainful returns up the sideline and through the middle.
The scoring was capped off by an intercept try by eightman Alyssa Barker, who ran 30 meters down the sideline for the converted try, thanks the Cheung, who was 3-3 on kicks, 21-10.
“It wasn’t the best game we’ve ever played,” Hartos said, “and even though there were some ticky-tack knock-ons with the weather and we were frustrated, we were always tenacious and never gave up.”
San Diego has one more shot to play the game of the season, as they prepare for their first visit to the DI final.
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