After a forfeit from Brandywine last week, the Honey Badgers finally got to open their fall season this past Saturday, on their home field. Severn was slightly unsettled entering the match, since they had yet to face newcomer, NE Philly Irish. Severns’ only knowledge of the team from previous years in the D2 North is that the Irish held their strength in their pack. Knowing they must set the tone early, the Severn forwards, led by Captain Lenni Ferreira, struck first and hard, 2 minutes in. The Honey Badgers forged on putting up 19 unanswered points until the Irish finally answered back with a try. The try resulted in an additional penalty try and yellow card awarded to Severn fullback, Kaitlyn Marshall. Severn suffered another blow at the 35 minute mark when Prop, Mikey Williams took a shot to the nose, but not before she was able to touch it down for a try. Williams’ first comment as blood streamed down her face was true to form: “Did I score?”

After a made penalty kick from scrum-half, Masha Romanchak, the Badgers ended the half, up 29-7.

             Hannah “Scrappy” Whiteley wanted to make sure the Irish knew that Severn wasn’t done and touched one down to start the 2nd half. Severn continued to turn up the heat on NE Philly scoring tries and dominating rucks. Dr. Malie Lockhart was able to touch one down for the Badgers as well in her first matrix match with Severn. Although, NE Philly’s size and strength were a challenge for the Badgers early in the match, the Irish eventually ran out of gas and Severn took a 65-12, victory. With a matrix match under their belt, the Badgers are excited about the new additions to their roster this year including forwards, Erin Gallagher-Johnson and Molly Stocker, and wingers, Malie Lockhart and Zoi Wachtel.

The Honey Badgers face the Norfolk Storm in Norfolk, VA, next Saturday, 9/28.

Final Score: 65-12

Women of the Match:
7 Whiteley, Hannah (Scrappy)
9 Romanchak, Maria (Masha)

Tries:

Ferreira- 1
Marshall-1
Williams- 1
Whiteley-1
Hartzell-1
Lockhart- 1
McCarty- 2
Todorovich-1
Trouwborst-1

Conversions and Penalty Kicks: Bryan/Romanchak: 7 for 11

Roster:
1 Williams, Michalann (Mikey)
2 Bottorf, Samantha
3 Davidson, Shanna
4 Todorovich, Kathryn (Todo)
5 Ferreira, Lena (C)
6 Chafin, Ashely
7 Whiteley, Hannah (Scrappy)
8 Gallagher-Johnson, Erin
9 Romanchak, Maria (Masha)
10 Bryan, Charlee
11 Paul, Tiffany
12 Hartzell, Casey (C)
13 McCarty, Alyson
14 Lockhart, Marie (Malie)
15 Marshall, Kaitlyn
16 Priddy, Rachel (Sloth)
17 Trouwborst, Rayne
18 Wachtel, Zoi
19 Elia, Kierstin (Kiki)
20 Stocker, Molly
21 Hickok, Stephanie