Boston Banshees Face Tough Opponent After Narrow Loss

Exiles flanker Gio Cruz carries the ball upfield. Photo by Ali Tousignant via alitousiphotos.com.

Quincy, MA– The Boston Banshees registered their first loss of the season in a game that gave viewers déjà vu. Hosting the New York Exiles at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, the home side went into the half with a strong lead, but allowed the visitors to take control after the break. The game came down to the final push, but this time, the Banshees were unable to score on the final play, allowing the Exiles poetic revenge for their loss in the season opener.

Exiles head coach Diego Maquieira said he was proud of his team’s “gutsy” performance. “I think we played a good game in that first game and they obviously played a slightly better game than us, so we came in here knowing that we need to put in a complete performance. And so I think coming out of the half-time, we really dug in for that second half.”

With much improved weather conditions over the Banshees’ previous games, this second home match of the season was very physical, with lots of scrums taking place all over the field. Both teams were very effective with their passing. Boston took the first try off a driving maul, and with it, a lot of momentum. The Exiles took a number of penalties early on, which eventually resulted in Boston being awarded a penalty kick; Rachel Harkavy put it between the posts. New York’s Kayla Hunkin-Clark was given a yellow card soon afterwards, but she then scored her team’s first try at 34 minutes. The first half ended with the Banshees up 13-7.

In the second half, the momentum swung the other way. New York earned two more tries, helped along by a number of errors from the Banshees. Yeja Dunn’s league-leading sixth try on the season kept Boston in the game, but another Exiles try and then a yellow card for Boston’s Jenni Laferriere put a comeback in dire straits. Despite a strong series of rushes after the 80 minute mark, the Exiles held on for the victory.

“I think we were a little disappointed that we didn’t keep that momentum that we felt that we could have had,” Banshees assistant coach Ollie Engelhart commented after the game. “And especially in attack, there were some opportunities that we didn’t take. But in general, I think we’re excited to be part of something, we’re excited to have a great day in front of the home crowd. And it was a tight game, so you’ve got to leave the field with a smile on your face.”

Banshees lock Jenny Kronish, who served as captain during the match, concurred. “I’m happy with our fight throughout the whole game. We kind of missed the mark in playing and sticking to our game plan, but I think we showed a lot of heart so I’m happy with that.”

The Boston home crowd made an impact on the game. 

“I had goosebumps in those last five minutes here, the crowd trying to get behind the team,” said Coach Engelhart. “And you can’t understate how much of an impact that can have to a team. When you feel like you’re trying to get those last points… You can hear them loud, you can hear the drums beating and that’s really, really, the New England rugby scene. Thank you. Keep coming out, keep supporting the women.”

The Banshees needed that boost: they were without several of their top players, who were at the Team USA training camp prior to games against Japan. In the absence of Foundational Five members Paige Stathopoulos, Catie Benson, and Emily Henrich, and impact players Cassidy Bargell, Cheta Emba, and Malia Isaacs, other members of the team stepped up in big ways. Coach Engelhart highlighted the play of Jenni Laferriere, who earned her first cap with the Banshees:

“She went from a back to playing the flanker and she had a great game. You know, put the dominant tackles in, really led with the physicality.” 

The Banshees will continue to play a less experienced roster when they take to Centreville Bank Stadium in Rhode Island for their third home game of the season, following their bye week. They will face the Denver Onyx, who stand alone as the top team in WER. While the Banshees dropped their first game during the Eagles camp period, the Onyx, who sent ten players to national team duty, earned their fourth straight victory.

The Stadium at Tidewater Landing, where the Banshees will play their final three home games, is a new venue for the team, but it’s in an area of strong support for the sport. The team hopes to see a similar level of support that they enjoyed in Quincy. Kronish spoke to the impact the home fans had against New York:

“The crowd was unbelievable. I think there was a point where they were chanting, like, Banshees, Banshees… That support is still surreal to us. So it’s really, really cool when you can kind of pull yourself out of the moment and acknowledge that we have a big crowd. It’s really exciting.”

The Boston Banshees will play their next game on May 4.

Final score: Boston Banshees 20 – New York Exiles 24

Boston Banshees
Tries: Vance 8’, Cowdry 28’, Dunn 58’
Conversions: Schweitzer 59’
Penalty goal: Harkavy 15’

New York Exiles
Tries: Clark 34’, Frick 41’, Green-Yotts 47’, DeBruzzi 65’
Conversions: Owens (35’, 42’)