One Last Sunday: Valkyries Close the Regular Season in Week 5
October 18, 2026 | Euclid, Ohio
The final week of the 2026 Rugby Ohio Fall 7s regular season brought the Brunswick Valkyries back to Euclid High School for one last Sunday of regular-season rugby. Six matches stood between the Valkyries and the end of the regular-season schedule, with three games each for the A-side and B-side.
The cold rolled in early, putting the players to the test before the sun eventually broke through and delivered a beautiful day for rugby. With the regular season coming to a close, every match offered one more opportunity to compete, build chemistry, and prepare for what comes next.
The Valkyries finished the day with the A-side going 1-1-1 and the B-side going 1-2. There were narrow losses, a hard-earned draw, and a dominant victory to close out the day. But more importantly, the final whistle marked the end of the regular season, not the end of the journey.
The State Championship bracket awaits.
A-Side Opens With a Nail-Biter Against West Pitt
The A-side kicked off its final Sunday against West Pitt in a match that came down to the smallest of margins.
Both teams came ready to compete, and the Valkyries found themselves trailing just 12-10 at halftime. With only two points separating the sides, the second half was set up for a battle where every possession mattered.
Sophia Pomeroy. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.
Brunswick continued to push, searching for the scores that would turn the match in its favor. The Valkyries stayed within striking distance, but West Pitt managed to hold on through the final whistle.
The final score: West Pitt 17, Valkyries 15. A two-point loss to open the day was a tough way to start, but the A-side had two more matches ahead and plenty of rugby left to play.
B-Side Starts Strong Against West Pitt B
The B-side followed with a matchup against West Pitt B, looking to establish momentum early.
The Valkyries came out with purpose, building a halftime advantage and putting themselves in a strong position heading into the second half. West Pitt continued to battle, but Brunswick maintained its composure and kept finding ways to protect its lead.
When the final whistle sounded, the B-side had secured a 20-15 victory. After a narrow opening loss for the A-side, the B-side gave the Valkyries their first win of the day. It was a strong response and a reminder that staying composed under pressure can make all the difference.
B-Side Faces a Tough Test Against St. Joseph
Next up for the B-side was St. Joseph, and the Valkyries quickly found themselves facing an uphill climb.
Avery Merkel. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.
St. Joseph built a 19-7 lead by halftime, putting Brunswick in a position where it needed a strong second half to get back into contention. The Valkyries continued to compete and added points after the break, but St. Joseph maintained its advantage and closed out the match with a 24-12 victory.
It was a difficult result for the B-side, but the day wasn't finished. One more match remained, offering another chance to regroup and finish the regular season with a strong performance.
A-Side Battles Medina to a Draw
The A-side returned to the field against Medina in a match that stayed close from the opening whistle.
Giada Pomeroy. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.
Brunswick came out strong, taking a 10-5 lead into halftime. The Valkyries had established a narrow advantage, but Medina remained within striking distance. The second half became a battle to hold the lead while looking for another opportunity to pull away. Medina continued to push, and the two sides ultimately finished level: Valkyries 10, Medina 10.
Neither team came away with a win, but the draw reflected just how evenly matched the contest had become. After a two-point loss earlier in the day, the A-side had earned a result and continued to battle through its final regular-season matches.
B-Side Meets a Powerful Perry Attack
The B-side's final match of the regular season came against Perry.
Brunswick found itself trailing 14-10 at halftime, leaving the Valkyries with a narrow deficit to overcome. The B-side continued to search for opportunities, but Perry found its attacking rhythm in the second half and began to pull away. Despite the Valkyries' efforts, Perry secured a 36-10 victory.
Olivia McDonald. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.
It wasn't the finish the B-side had hoped for, but the final match of the regular season brought another opportunity to compete, learn, and carry lessons forward. The work put in across five weeks will continue to matter as the team prepares for the postseason.
A-Side Finishes With a Statement Against Perrysburg
The A-side had one final opportunity to close its regular season, and the Valkyries made it count.
Against Perrysburg, Brunswick came out firing. The A-side built a commanding 26-0 halftime lead, putting the pressure on Perrysburg and establishing control early. The Valkyries carried that momentum into the second half, continuing to find attacking opportunities while keeping Perrysburg from mounting a comeback.
Sophie Dockweiler. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.
By the final whistle, Brunswick had secured a convincing 41-5 victory. It was exactly the kind of finish the A-side needed. After a narrow loss and a hard-fought draw earlier in the day, the Valkyries closed their regular-season schedule with a dominant performance that showcased their attacking potential and determination.
The regular season ended on a high note, and the A-side now turns its attention to the challenge ahead.
The Battle Maidens
A-Side Battle Maiden: Giada Pomeroy
Giada Pomeroy earned the A-side Battle Maiden Award for her determination and ability to support the team through difficult moments. Giada continued to find ways to contribute, creating support lines that helped carry the A-side forward. Her awareness and willingness to put herself in the right position gave her teammates options in attack and helped keep the team connected throughout the day. Her performance reflected an important part of rugby: making the right run, supporting the player with the ball, and doing the work that helps the whole team succeed.
B-Side Battle Maiden: Avery Merkel
Avery Merkel earned the B-side Battle Maiden Award after another performance filled with attacking creativity and physical determination. Avery's shifty footwork and ability to identify gaps made her a dangerous attacking presence. When the space wasn't obvious, she found ways to create it. On defense, she brought an equally fierce mentality, delivering powerful tackles against much larger opponents. Avery's willingness to challenge the opposition on both sides of the ball made her a standout performer and gave the B-side another spark throughout the day.
Queen's Standard: Ella Sabo
This week's Queen's Standard Award goes to Ella Sabo. Although an injury kept Ella off the field, it never kept her away from her team. Ella showed up ready to contribute, offering encouragement to her teammates and helping immensely from the sideline. Whether she was keeping scores, bringing lively enthusiasm, or making sure the girls knew they had support behind them, she found ways to make a difference throughout the day. The Queen's Standard recognizes character, leadership, and the spirit of the Valkyries. Ella demonstrated that those qualities aren't limited to the players taking the field. A team needs more than the players who score tries or make tackles. It needs people who show up, stay invested, and help everyone around them keep going. Ella did exactly that.
The Regular Season Ends. The Championship Journey Begins.
Five weeks. Countless minutes on the pitch. Wins, losses, draws, difficult lessons, and moments worth celebrating. The Valkyries have spent the 2026 Rugby Ohio Fall 7s regular season building chemistry, learning how to respond under pressure, and discovering new ways to support one another.
Every match added another piece to the foundation, and every player contributed to the team's growth. The A-side closed Week 5 with a 1-1-1 record, while the B-side finished 1-2. The final regular-season results are now in the books, but there is still one major chapter waiting to be written.
The State Championship bracket matches are set for Sunday, October 25th, in Cincinnati. The stakes are rising. The competition continues. And the Valkyries have another opportunity to put everything they've learned to the test.
The regular season may be over, but the fight isn't finished. The work continues. The team stays together. And when the next battle begins, every Valkyrie will know who stands beside her.
Cover photo by Spencer Dockweiler.