The Merlins are headed to Texas

Article by Glendale Rugby | Originally published at glendalemerlins.com

Photo by Seth McConnell

After trailing at the half, the Glendale Merlins came back and defeated the Utah Vipers, 34-29, with five minutes remaining in the Frontier Conference Championship. This victory will send the Merlins to the Women’s Division 1 Western Club Quarter-Final in Austin, Texas on May 18th. The winner of that match will advance to the Semi-Final game the very next day.

Team Captain Adekemi Adewunmi said of Saturday’s game, “We put everything that we had been working on throughout the season into that game. Even when we were down at half, we kept our composure and stuck to our game plan. I think everyone is very excited for next week in Texas, and if we play our game I believe we will be successful.”

Photo by Jeanna Beard

Head Coach Hannah Stolba heaped more praise on the team, “I am incredibly proud to coach this group of women. The commitment and dynamic they have reminds me of why I started playing rugby and what a team is all about. They work for each other; they have all been open to growing and learning. It’s a wonderful group to be able to work with, everything I could ask for as a coach.”

Coach Stolba named Merlin Jessica Dombrowski the Player of the Match. Dombrowski was elated when speaking about the team, “Hannah gave us a spectacular pep talk that had us all extremely amped and ready to go. This game was a huge challenge for us both mentally and physically, so being able to come out on top was a massive feat that I don’t think anyone on the team or the club will soon forget.” She continued, “Going into Texas, everyone is even more motivated than ever before, and we are ready to go. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose, and the excitement that comes with that is inspiring.”

The winner of the Western Club Final will advance to the Club Championship finals at Fortress Obertz in Ohio on June 1st-2nd.