In the first match on US soil for the East Coast Women’s League, the Baltimore Washington Eagles hosted the New York Lady Magpies to a 9 a side game in nearly perfect footy weather at Frank C. Bocek Park. With the teams’ successful recruiting efforts in 2012, both Baltimore-Washington and New York had players experiencing their first ever full-tackle game.
At the center tap, rookie ruck for the Pies, Alison Vorsatz, took on veteran Eagle Eileen Geoghegan who proved to have the advantage for most of the day. With Lady Eagles Julie Gailey and Karen Stablein working effectively in the middle, the Baltimore-Washington took the lead quickly as Judith Stein kicked away at full forward. The Pies failed to capitalize on the kickouts from fullback Autumn Ervin and the Lady Eagles kept the pressure on. The half ended with the BW Lady Eagles up 44 to 6 over the Lady Pies.
The Pies came out more aggressively in the second half with continued pressure in backline by Licata and DaCosta. Despite the strong work of Lady Pies midfield including Casillas, McHale, and Vorsatz, New York had trouble putting points on the board with just one goal for the match. Lady Eagles Noni Lewis and Emily Ricotta continued to support Stein in the forward line and Baltimore-Washington ran away with the win in the end.
Lady Pies Captain Drea Casillas and Lady Eagles Captain Judith Stein both praised the outstanding effort of the rookies in a hard fought game.
New York Lady Pies 6
BW Lady Eagles 81
NY Best: Siobhan McHale, Christina Licata, Autumn Ervin
NY Rookie Standout: Alison Vorsatz
The Lady Pies traveled to Montreal, Canada for the first ever women’s tournament in the city with Boston, New York, andMontreal vying for the 2012 AFL Quebec Women’s Pre-season Cup. Lady Magpie veterans led the team of mostly first-time players against a more experienced Boston Lady Demons team in the first match of the weekend. While the new Lady Pies’ gained their footing, Boston came out for a quick lead that continued on until the final whistle.
The Lady Pies’ match-up against the Montreal Angels proved to be a better showing for New York. The backline held strong in the first half keeping the game within reach for the Lady Pies, but difficulty in scoring took its toll in the end despite the great effort by rookies and veterans alike. New to the black and white jumper, Emily Royer kicked the only goal for the Pies during the weekend and ultimately took home the medal for rookie standout for the Lady Pies.
Although the Lady Pies came back to the Big Apple without a win, the vets were happy to put their boots back on for the first games of the season with a group of amazing new recruits. Lady Pies’ Captain Drea Casillas said, “The tournament provided some great experience to our rookies. We are thrilled with their enthusiasm for the game and look forward to seeing their development throughout the season. It looks promising.”
The Montreal Angels defeated the Lady Demons keeping the 2012 AFL Quebec Women’s Cup at home in the City of Saints.
New York Lady Pies 0.1.1
Boston Lady Demons 6.5.41
New York Lady Pies 1.2.8
Montreal Angels 6.4.40
Boston Lady Demons 1.2.8
Montreal Angels 6.4.40
It was a windy day as the New York Magpies took on the Chicago Swans in their second away game in a row. New York hadn’t travelled to Chicago for 7 years and were looking forward to testing themselves against the Swans. The Magpies were severely impacted before the first bounce with the withdrawal of Smiley, Squires, McLoughlin, Overell, Spiteri and Blandford due to injuries and unavailability. Despite the distractions, co-captains Todd Smith and Jordan McIntyre called correctly at the coin toss (performed by the Chicago Australian Consul-General) giving the Magpies the first use of the strong 4 goal breeze.
Collins competed well in the ruck from the outset and gave use of the ball to midfielders Taylor, McIntyre and Wheeldon and with the benefit of the wind the Magpies were soon on the attack with Norman and Mitchell getting busy up forward. After some impressive defensive efforts by Smith, Kwiatkowski and Kerr the Magpies were able to take advantage through Dixon who booted the first goal which was soon followed by another from Mitchell.
The Magpies managed to lock the ball into their forward half but were inaccurate in front of goal, failing to convert many gettable shots until Norman managed to bang one through from 50. After a 3 goal to none start the Swans managed to get back a goal late in the quarter.
Fighting into the wind in the second quarter the Magpies knew it would be a tougher task and this was proven when the Swans started quickly showing strong rebounding skills and putting the Magpies defense under attack early, slamming through a couple of quick goals. Gradually, New York worked their way back into the game and 2 goals to McIntyre in the second half of the quarter meant that New York held a 2 goal lead at half time, 5.9 39 to 4.1 25.
The coaching staff made several changes at the start of the second half with Kwiatkowski moving into the ruck and Solly being inserted into the midfield. Chicago’s backline proved difficult to crack however despite the best efforts of Mitchell, Katsof, Walkington and Donner. Midfielders Metten and Desai kept busy though and Dixon and Mitchell added an extra goal each. Caine and Davis continued their strong form, however Chicago remained in touch with a goal of their own and were confident going into the last quarter, coming home with the aid of the breeze. Three quarter time saw the score at 7.10 52 to 5.3 33.
Co-captain Smith fired up the Magpies at three quarter time and challenged the players to win the quarter despite playing into the breeze. The players responded well with Desai continuing his good game and Pezanko putting in several fine second efforts, including one massive shepard to prevent Smith being run down. The Magpies maintained heavy pressure on the Swans and goals to Dixon, Mitchell, McIntyre, and Ormsby put the game beyond doubt. In the end the Magpies ran the game out the stronger of the two teams, however Chicago showed tremendous spirit and fought hard until the end. The final siren went and the Magpies ran out winners, 11.13 79 to 7.3 45, however the scoreboard didn’t reflect how close most of the game was.
Assistant coach Adam Overell said after the game “Chicago play a strong contested brand of football which made it a tough game. I was pleased with the form of some of the new guys and it was good to notch up consecutive road wins.” The Magpies now look forward to a trip down to face the Baltimore-Washington Eagles on Saturday May 12.
NY Magpies 11.13 79 def Chicago Swans 7.3.45
Best: Kwiatkowski, McIntyre, Desai, Taylor, Dixon
Goals: Dixon 3, McIntyre 3, Mitchell 3, Norman 1, Ormsby 1
The New York Magpies kicked off their 2012 season with 2 hard fought wins against the Boston Demons in Massachusetts. After the long bus ride from New York to Boston, the day began with Magpies coach Glenn Ormsby announcing the leadership group for 2012, consisting of Jordan McIntyre, Todd Smith, Jack Taylor, Bryan Caine, Brad Davis, Mike Murphy and David Kyle. The game started fast and furious with plenty of stoppages and both teams’ backlines repelling plenty of attacks. Taylor and Mike Fraietta were attacking the ball relentlessly and the pressure from the midfielders and contests of the forwards saw New York sneak the first goal for the day via Fraietta. The Demons responded almost instantly though and the Magpies led by a couple of points at quarter time.
The second quarter continued as the first had ended with players throwing themselves into the contest. The backlines continued to dictate the play with Alex Kwiatkowski, Smith and Hawkins all showing poise under pressure in the backline. Glenn Caldwell played strong to take a couple of big marks and the Magpies gradually worked their way ahead on the scoreboard. With Rob Donner and Chris Walsh presenting well up forward, rovers Matt Barlaz and Brad Davis had plenty of chances to crumb the packs. However, Boston kept coming and at halftime the difference remained mere points, the Magpies up 3.5 23 to 3.1.19.
After a halftime rev up, the Magpies hit the pitch with greater intent and through strong work from undersized ruckman Nick Kerr and midfielders Mike Dixon and Brett Felsenthal, gradually grinded out to a 4 goal advantage. The going remained tough as debutants Tai Scott and Zach Katsof got involved and the coaching staff worked continuous rotations. Bryan Caine began to get an advantage over his opponent and a Magpies’ goal towards the end of the quarter saw them take a handy 3 goal lead into the final break, 7.7 49 to 5.1 31.
The last quarter remained tight with both teams butchering the ball under pressure and tired legs starting to show. The Magpies appeared to stop running and Boston could sense it, making a late surge to try and pull off an upset. Although Boston had the better of the play they were wasteful in front of goal, missing several scoring opportunities. The Magpies’ rotations increased in response with Ben Metten, Dylan Martin, Joe Hocking and Tom Burke all having an impact on the game. The backline continued to provide strong resistance although work is required on the kick outs. After a tough game, the Magpies held on to run out victors 8.7 55 to 6.5 41 and retain the ANZAC Plate.
The coaching staff were pleased to get the win, saying, “It’s always good to get a victory first up and over rivals Boston. I thought that our new players showed some encouraging signs; however, there is plenty of work to do as we were very rusty today. We’ll definitely be having a hard week on the training track before heading up to Chicago.”
Best Players: Kwiatkowski, Taylor, Hawkins, Walsh, Dixon
Goal Kickers: Davis 2, Felsenthal, Taylor, Dixon, Scott, Walsh, Fraietta
Following the four quarter game, the Magpies’ reserves battled Boston’s reserves in a two quarter game. The Magpies, aided by a strong midfield featuring Ormsby, Martin, Jones, Burke and Bennett, burst out of the blocks and were never really threatened with the backline of Mick Maguire, Conor Walsh, Myles Walkington, Paul Martin and Tristan Keeffe holding particularly strong. Troy Danilo and Tai Scott were lively up forward with a couple of goals. All players who travelled got a decent run and the coaching staff will no doubt have plenty of headaches at the selection table when picking the starting team for Chicago.
