D1 Match Recap | SCRFU Championship vs Santa Monica

For the highly anticipated SCRFU D1 Championship game, the San Diego Surfers faced off against Santa Monica, in a clash that would determine who would qualify for the Pacific Super Regionals set to take place in Las Vegas. This match marked the beginning of the postseason for the Surfers, serving as a crucial first step on their journey back to the Nationals, a goal that has been at the forefront of their aspirations throughout the season.

Setting the stage for this thrilling encounter, the Surfers concluded the regular season with an impressive undefeated record, earning themselves the coveted #1 seed in the playoffs. This remarkable achievement granted them a bye for the semi-final match, which was initially scheduled to be against Belmont. However, Belmont was forced to forfeit their spot in the playoffs after they were disqualified for failing to field a complete team during a regular season match. This unexpected turn of events provided the Surfers with an advantageous position, allowing them to focus entirely on their upcoming championship game.

On the other side of the playoff bracket, Santa Monica entered the championship match with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. They had just come off a thrilling and hard-fought semi-final victory, narrowly defeating the #2 seed Tempe with a score of 14 - 12. This victory was particularly significant as Santa Monica had previously faced Tempe in their last regular season game, where they had triumphed decisively with a score of 38 - 12. However, their journey had not been without its challenges, as they had also suffered a heavy defeat at the beginning of the season, losing to Tempe 71 - 14. Coming off a 2 game win and upset, Santa Monica stepped onto the field brimming with confidence and momentum, eager to channel that energy against the Surfers. Nevertheless, their efforts fell short against the well-prepared and resilient Surfers team, who continued their impressive streak as three-time SCRFU D1 League Champions, ultimately securing the victory with a commanding final score of 34 - 8.

Surfer Highlights

From the start of the match, the Surfers showcased their strategic prowess with a strong focus on defense. Opting to kick off the ball instead of receiving it, they immediately applied pressure on Santa Monica, pushing them back within their own 20-meter line in the first five minutes of play. Under this pressure, Santa Monica was left with no choice but to kick, which landed directly in the hands of Sheree Collins. Seizing the opportunity, Collins skillfully navigated through the opposition's defense, employing a series of impressive maneuvers, including a powerful stiff arm that sent defenders sprawling to the ground, ultimately leading to her scoring the first try of the match.

As the Surfers continued to dominate the field, they pressed forward into Santa Monica's half. In a moment of brilliance, Tia Blythe executed a perfect kick over the top, which took a favorable bounce, allowing Cathy Cai to recover the ball and score the next try, further extending the Surfers' lead.

The Surfers' defense was relentless, characterized by insane line speed that forced turnovers, while their offense flowed seamlessly to the edges of the field. The combination of quick line break support and offloads created a dynamic attacking style that was hard for Santa Monica to contain. A standout moment came with a classic Cathy Cai interception, which set up Alexa Scott to barrel through the defense and score a try with less than ten minutes remaining in the first half, solidifying the Surfers' commanding position in the match.

As the game progressed into the final 20 minutes, the Surfers shifted their offensive strategy into high gear, exploiting the edges with remarkable pace. Danae Cargill showcased her speed on the wing, while Morgan Bundy displayed agility and finesse as she swerved through Santa Monica's defenders to score additional tries. The Surfers' relentless assault continued, with Sheree Collins once again demonstrating her explosive speed, breaking through Santa Monica's back line for an incredible 80-meter try off a scrum, further emphasizing the Surfers' dominance in this championship showdown.

Pushing forwards towards Nationals, the Surfers move onto Pacific Super Regionals in Vegas to face off in a 4 team bracket playing on Friday 4/25 and Sunday 4/27 at noon.

Elevate & Celebrate Award & SCRFU MVP

Sheree Collins