Alde Nguyen
Staff Writer
After two tough back to back games in the mud and rain, the Mira Costa girls rugby team fell to View Park in a difficult pursuit for the win.
Costa’s girls rugby team was defeated by View Park Preparatory High School in two matches, 20-14 and 10-7, at a tournament at Rancho Cienega on Jan. 20. The Mustangs led a steady offense throughout both games but could but were outscored by View Park’s fast and agile lineup.
The official Facebook of the Mira Costa rugby teams
“The team came out today playing very hard and made great strides on improving,” head coach Duke Dulgarian said. “I am very happy with their progress as a new rugby team and by next year we’ll have a great team.”
Sophomore Taiana Fonua began the first game by dashing 50 yards into the try zone, breaking many tackles, bringing the Mustangs to a 5-0 lead. Shortly after, junior Alexis Fonua converted the try, to make the score 7-0. Viewpark also scored twice and lead 10-7 at halftime.
Photos: Mira Costa girls rugby faces View Park
“I think our rugby team came out very strong and confident before and during the first part of the game,” Taiana Fonua said. “As the first half proceeded and View Park scored, our confidence dropped but we picked ourselves back up and did well.”
In the second half of the game, the Mustangs kept a stable offense and defense, only allowing Viewpark to score a few times. Halfway into the last half, Taiana Fonua assisted senior Maria Meola and dove into the try zone, scoring 5 points. Alexis Fonua converted the try again for 2 points with the final score being 20-14 View Park.
The official Mira Costa Rugby website
“In the second half, we started out well and came in with a lot of force and power,” Meola said. “I think we held a lot of confidence in that game and our offense and defense played extremely well despite the loss.”
Throughout the first half of the second game, the Mustangs were unable to score but played very well defensively, Meola said, only allowing View Park to score once in the half, with View Park leading 5-0 at halftime.
“After the first half we were all very tired but were very persistent with our defense,” Meola said. “I believe we could improve on spreading out more along with the general structure of our plays.”
In the last half of the second game, the Mustangs allowed View Park to score once more, making the score, 10-0 in View Park’s favor. In the dying minutes of the game, Meola offloaded an assist from Taiana Fonua and made a try. She converted the try with a kick to end the second game, 10-7.
Senior Maria Meola scores a try for 5 points against View Park Prep Highschool. Taiana Fonua converts the score to 10-7 View Park lead.
“We pushed through the second half with all of our effort because we knew it was our last half of the night and we were able to score through good communication,” Meola said. “Throughout the second half we also were very efficient with tackling and a few key tackles from Jaslynn Mejia benefitted us defensively.”
Costa is currently 1-9-1 overall and 0-5 in Bay League and will next play against Roosevelt High School as well as Centennial High School at home on Friday.
“This week, we will have harder practices and will work hard enough to maintain a stable defense and offense in order to win our next game,” Alexis Fonua said.
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