After clinching their 4th straight Mid-Atlantic Conference championship two weekends ago, the Harrisburg Rugby Football Club Women’s team was navigating familiar territory this past Saturday and Sunday at the USA Rugby Eastern Regional Championships in Spartansburg, SC.

“Entering the weekend Harrisburg looked to be the most dominant team on paper, and they proved their form, winning the East Women’s Division II Championship. They were victorious over the Atlanta Harlequins D2 squad. Both teams made it through to the national semifinal via impressive performance on the first day of competition. Harrisburg knocked over Providence 52-38, and the Atlanta Harlequins beat a tough Buffalo side, 30-24. Going into the East Championship, it looked to be anybody’s game, Harrisburg quickly put an end to any speculation of who would be triumphant- running out to a 14-0 lead. While the Harlequins were able to get on the board and reduce their deficit to only nine, Harrisburg always looked in control of the match, dominating on both ends. Their defense was impenetrable and when they won quick ball, they played the topography of the field to their advantage with brilliant clearing kicks. In attack they were clinical, led by the Rebecca Lengle and Georgia Goodman they continuously found holes in the Harlequins defense and used their electrifying speed to find the all-important outside corners. The Harlequins never stopped fighting and amidst a building injury list, they continued to show their desperation to win. Unfortunately, for them, Harrisburg seemingly had an answer for everything that was thrown at them. Harrisburg winning, 35-12. 30 of the 35 points were scored by Lengle or Goodman.” — USA Rugby (source)

The Women play for the National Championship Sunday, June 2, at 3pm against the Sacramento Amazons. Watch the match live on FloRugby, and please help our beloved Harlots travel to Obetz with a donation to their GoFundMe!

On Saturday, May 4th, in Pittsburgh, PA, the Harrisburg Women took the field for their Mid-Atlantic Conference Division 2 Championship semi-final match. Despite a surprise end-of-regular-season loss to an energized White Horse squad, the Harlots entered the match as the #1 seed from the North Division. A physically tough Norfolk side, 2nd seed in the South Division, lined up across from our heroines on a wet, muddy pitch. Embracing the challenging field conditions, Harrisburg started the match with a bang, scoring 3 times in the first 5 minutes. The Harlots were relentless through the first 25 minutes, dotting down try after try. The squad’s speed on the outside overwhelmed the Norfolk side. Well in the lead, Harrisburg slid into a familiar pace for the remainder of the first half. Halftime brought words of encouragement from coaches and leaders, as well as some fresh legs. The depth of Harrisburg’s bench and the ability to bring in “run ons” without dropping the level of play on the field has been key to their success this year, and Saturday was no exception. Norfolk eventually mounted a comeback with a Harrisburg player in the sin bin, but it was too little, too late. The Harrisburg Women won handily, 53-20.  They would return to the muddy pitch the next day to face White Horse in a rematch of their only loss from a few weeks prior.

Sunday was warm and wet 😉 when the Harrisburg Women kicked off the MAC D2 Women’s Championship match against White Horse. The field was a muddy mess and threatened Harrisburg’s speed on the outside. Soon after kick-off, White Horse seized their opportunity, scoring the game’s first try. But the Harlots, loath repeat the missteps of their previous encounter, rallied and got down to business. The White Horse team kept the action close to the breakdowns, attempting to make ground with short, intense bursts from their forwards. Harrisburg stonewalled them time and again, sticking tackles and keeping their defensive formation. Communication on the Harrisburg side kept everyone focused and on task. Harrisburg wore down their opponent and finally gained momentum, cracking the White Horse line for 5 unanswered tries. The match maintained a back-and-forth pace, but Harrisburg kept control of the scoreboard. Their consistent tackling and dominant backline and scrum could not be matched. The game finished 36-17 with the Harrisburg Women prevailing as 4-time MAC D2 Champions!

The win punched Harrisburg’s ticket to the USA Rugby Eastern Club Championships in Spartanburg, SC. The Women will play in the National Quarter-finals on May 18th against Providence Rugby, for the chance to move on to the semi-final on May 19th. This marks the Harlots’ fourth trip to the National Quarter-final, and the ladies are hoping the fourth time’s the charm.