In the second game of their inaugural season in Division II Women’s Rugby, the San Diego Surfers were coming into the game with high hopes and high expectations for the season. Riding on their win against the Tuscan Lightning only weeks before, the Surfers came out strong in the scrums and breakdowns, maintaining ball control and bursting past the gain line against the strong forwards of Santa Monica. The aggressiveness and persistence by the Surfers led to a quick try from the speedy flyhalf Hannah Lopez who seemed to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge defenders to slide safely to the try zone in the 7th minute. The conversion kick was good by Nicole Badic and the Surfers took a 7-0 lead. Santa Monica then responded with three unanswered tries to end the half.
The second half started similarly with the Surfers catching a second wind and pounding their way to Santa Monica’s 10 meter line. Off a lineout, the Surfers mauled their way to the try zone and Nicole Badic eventually placed down a score in the 50th minute. However, as fatigue set in, the Surfers were unable to stop the strong and quick backline of Santa Monica. At the final whistle, the score ended 35 – 12 in favor of Santa Monica.
