Valkyries Finish Week 4 Strong at Euclid High School

October 11, 2026  |  Euclid, Ohio

Week 4 of the 2026 Rugby Ohio Fall 7s season brought the Brunswick Valkyries to Euclid High School for another six-match Sunday. With three matches scheduled for the A-side and three for the B-side, both squads had plenty of opportunities to test their progress, sharpen their chemistry, and show what they could do against tough competition.

The rain held out, the weather delivered a beautiful overcast day for rugby, and the Valkyries were ready to take the field.

The day brought its share of challenges, including a last-minute schedule change and some difficult early matchups. But the Valkyries continued to compete, responding with hard-fought victories and strong performances that showed the growth happening across both squads.

A-Side Opens Against Highland

The A-side opened the day against Highland, facing an early challenge from an opponent that quickly built momentum.

Highland took control in the first half, sending the Valkyries into the break trailing 21-0. Brunswick needed to find a way to generate more attacking opportunities and slow Highland's offense.

Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

The Valkyries continued to battle in the second half and managed to get on the scoreboard, but the deficit proved difficult to overcome. Highland secured the 33-7 victory. It was a tough opening match, but the A-side still had two more opportunities to make its mark on the day.

B-Side Faces West Pitt C

The B-side followed against West Pitt C in a match that required the Valkyries to fight from behind.

West Pitt held the advantage at halftime, leaving Brunswick with work to do in the second half. The Valkyries kept pushing, searching for openings and working to close the gap, but West Pitt maintained its lead through the final whistle.

Rebecca Miller. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

The match ended in a 24-10 loss for the B-side. It wasn't the result the Valkyries wanted, but there was still plenty of rugby left to play.

A-Side Gets a Win on the Record

The A-side's second scheduled match against Marysville took an unexpected turn when Marysville forfeited.

The result was recorded as a 28-0 victory for Brunswick. Although the Valkyries didn't get the opportunity to compete in that matchup, the recorded win gave the A-side a chance to reset and prepare for its final match of the day.

Sophia Pomeroy. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

One more game remained, and the Valkyries were ready to make it count.

B-Side Adjusts to a Last-Minute Schedule Change

The B-side's next challenge came against Perry after a last-minute schedule change reshuffled the day's matchups.

With little time to adjust, the Valkyries had to quickly turn their attention to a new opponent. Perry took a 5-0 lead into halftime, putting Brunswick in a position where it needed to find more attacking opportunities in the second half.

Bailey Sandin. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

The Valkyries continued to fight and found points of their own, but Perry kept its advantage and closed out the match with a 22-7 victory. The B-side had now faced two difficult matches, but one final opportunity remained. And this squad wasn't done yet.

B-Side Battles Back Against West Pitt B

The B-side returned to the pitch against West Pitt B looking to finish the day on a stronger note.

This time, the Valkyries came out ready to set the pace. Brunswick built a 14-5 halftime lead, putting itself in a strong position heading into the second half. West Pitt wasn't going to make the finish easy. The opposition continued to push, turning the match into a tight battle as the clock wound down. But the Valkyries held their ground.

Gianna Ferrara. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

When the final whistle sounded, Brunswick had secured a hard-fought 24-22 victory. After two losses earlier in the day, the B-side responded with a win that showed its determination and ability to stay in the fight when the pressure rose. The narrow margin made every point matter, and the Valkyries did enough to come away with the result.

A-Side Closes With a Statement Against Cap City

The A-side entered its final matchup against Cap City with a chance to close the day on a high note.

Brunswick found its rhythm early, building a 15-10 halftime lead. The Valkyries had established an advantage, but five points wasn't enough to relax. The second half would require continued execution and the discipline to keep pushing.

Josie Burich. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

The A-side delivered. Brunswick pulled away after the break, adding to its lead and taking control of the match. The attack continued to find opportunities, and the Valkyries finished the day with an emphatic 37-10 victory.

After the opening loss to Highland and the recorded forfeit win against Marysville, the A-side closed its day with a strong performance on the pitch. The final whistle marked a convincing finish and another step forward for a squad continuing to develop its identity.

The Battle Maidens

A-Side Battle Maiden: Josie Burich

Josie earned the A-side Battle Maiden Award for her aggressive defense and uplifting spirit. Josie brought intensity to the field, challenging the opposition and helping set a competitive tone for the A-side. Just as importantly, she encouraged the teammates around her, inspiring them to keep pushing forward even when the matches became difficult. Her impact went beyond individual plays. By combining defensive aggression with positive energy, Josie helped keep her squad engaged and fighting together.

B-Side Battle Maiden: Bailey Sandin

Bailey earned the B-side Battle Maiden Award after showing determination and attacking ability throughout the day. Despite fighting through injury, Bailey made her presence felt on offense, breaking through defensive lines and creating opportunities with several impressive line breaks. Her attacking contributions helped give the B-side momentum, while her willingness to keep working added to the chemistry developing across the squad. Bailey demonstrated the kind of resilience and commitment that can make a difference when a team needs someone to step forward.

Queen's Standard: Sophia Pomeroy

Leadership isn't just about being named captain. It's about recognizing what your teammates need, especially when things aren't going your way. Sophia stepped into that role by lifting her teammates when their heads were down and leading the back line with knowledge and confidence. She helped the Valkyries stay connected, encouraged them through difficult moments, and reminded the team to keep moving forward together. The Queen's Standard recognizes the player who best embodies the character, leadership, and spirit of the Valkyries. Sophia showed exactly why that standard matters. When the pressure rises, a captain's voice can help steady the team. On Sunday, Sophia made sure her teammates knew they weren't facing the battle alone.

Four Weeks Down. The Fight Continues.

Week 4 gave the Valkyries a little of everything: difficult starts, unexpected schedule changes, a recorded forfeit victory, and two-point finishes that demanded composure until the final whistle.

The A-side finished the day with a 2-1 record, while the B-side finished 1-2. Both squads experienced challenges, but both also found opportunities to respond, learn, and keep building.

The season isn't measured by one Sunday. It's built through every practice, every match, every adjustment, and every moment when a teammate needs someone beside her. The Valkyries continue to develop their chemistry, strengthen their confidence, and learn how to handle whatever the next match brings. Each week adds another chapter to that process, and the work is far from finished.

The next round of Rugby Ohio Fall 7s action is set for Sunday, October 18th.

Cover photo by Spencer Dockweiler.