The Fort Collins High School girls team was on the short end of the 15 -14 score in the Fall State Championship match against Summit County.
The match was as close as the score indicated with three lead changes. Summit scored first on a penalty kick to go ahead 3 to 0 following with a try off a loose play several minutes later. After missing the conversion kick the score was 8 to 0.
Sadie Anderson broke through the Summit back line, and converted the kick to make it 7 to 8 just before half. The Summit forward pack controlled the match playing in Fort Collins territory most of the first half. After halftime, a highly entertaining rugby match was enjoyed by a sparse crowd of supporters.
The Fort Collins forward pack came alive and even though some serious hitting and loose rucks contesting the ball took place for the rest of the match there were no major injuries reported. In the heat of the game a number of penalties were incurred by both sides but none lessened the intensity of either side.
Shortly into the second half Sadie Anderson made an amazing run evading several Summit players before she was taken to the ground, regained her feet and took the ball in for her second score of the evening. After the conversion kick Fort Collins lead the match 14 to 8. For those only watching the ball carrier on the play you missed the equally amazing sight of the forward pack following right on Sadie’s heels throughout the run supporting her all the way to the try line. There was some confusion as to who actually scored with the mass of gold jerseys down there!
Midway through the half Summit was awarded a penalty at the 5 meter mark and scored on the tap and go. After the conversion kick, Summit lead 15 to 14, and were able to hold it until the final whistle.
The high points of the evening began with Fort Collins accepting the award for 2006 Team Sportsmanship in the Championship Division. Almost lost in the announcements were Sadie Anderson and Ali Kosakowski making the State All Star Team! Congratulations on both team and individual honors!
