Valkyries Turn Up the Heat in Week 2, Going 5-1 for the Day

September 27, 2026  |  Hudson, Ohio

After opening the 2026 Rugby Ohio Fall 7s season in the rain and mud, the Brunswick Valkyries returned to the pitch Sunday, September 27, to find something much more welcoming.

Sunshine. Blue skies. And a beautiful day for rugby.

Sophia Thomas. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

Week 2 brought six matches to Hudson Middle School, with the A-side scheduled for four games and the B-side set for two. After a Week 1 filled with muddy fields and developing chemistry, the Valkyries arrived ready to put that work to the test. And they did exactly that.

Six matches. Five victories. One hard-fought loss.

The Valkyries walked away from Week 2 with plenty to celebrate, including several dramatic comebacks, dominant performances, and individual efforts that showed just how quickly this team is coming together.

A-Side Opens With a Statement

The A-side kicked off the day against Perrysburg A, and from the opening whistle, the Valkyries made their intentions clear.

Brunswick jumped out to a 14-0 lead at halftime, putting the pressure on Perrysburg and refusing to let up.

The second half brought more of the same. The Valkyries continued to find space, move the ball, and attack, eventually closing out the match with a commanding 34-5 victory.

A perfect way to start the day.

B-Side Keeps Rolling

The B-side followed against St. Joseph B, and they brought the same energy.

Brunswick built a 19-7 halftime lead, controlling the match while continuing to show the progress this squad has made since opening weekend. St. Joseph fought back in the second half, but the Valkyries had already established control.

Final score: Valkyries 24, St. Joseph 12.

Two matches. Two wins. The day was heating up.

Isabella Butscher. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

A-Side Faces Its Toughest Test

Then came Highland A.

This time, the Valkyries found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Highland came out strong, taking a 17-0 lead into halftime. Brunswick battled back in the second half, finding the try zone and refusing to let the match slip away without a fight.

The Valkyries ultimately fell 22-10, but the second-half response showed something important. They weren't finished. Not even close.

The Comeback Against Hudson

If Week 2 had a defining moment, this may have been it.

Facing Hudson A, the Valkyries found themselves trailing 12-10 at halftime.

Two points. That's all that separated the teams. But the Valkyries came out of the break ready to change the story. Brunswick turned up the pressure, found its rhythm, and started putting points on the board. The attack came alive, the defense held firm, and the Valkyries fought their way back in front.

When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read: Valkyries 27, Hudson 22.

A comeback victory. A hard-earned win. And another reminder that this team is learning how to battle when things don't go according to plan.

B-Side Battles Highland

The B-side returned to the field for its final match of the day against Highland B.

And once again, the Valkyries found themselves in a battle. Brunswick kept the pressure on and put together a strong offensive performance, eventually securing a 31-24 victory. The B-side finished the day with two wins and plenty of confidence heading into the next weekend.

A-Side Closes the Day Strong

Sixth and final match. The A-side took on St. Joseph A.

After a long day of rugby, tired legs, and plenty of physical battles, the Valkyries still had one more fight left in them.

Kaylee Hurkman. Photo by Spencer Dockweiler.

Brunswick came away with a 14-10 victory, closing out the day on a high note.

The A-side finished Week 2 with a 3-1 record, while the B-side went 2-0.

Five wins across six matches. That's a day worth remembering.

The Battle Maidens

A-Side Battle Maiden: Sophia Thomas

Coming off the bench, Sophia brought power and purpose to her runs, forcing defenders to react and creating space for her teammates to attack. Her runs opened opportunities for the Valkyries to break through and find the try zone. When Sophia entered the match, the game changed.

B-Side Battle Maiden: Isabella Butscher

Isabella showed tremendous improvement throughout the day, delivering powerful tackles and growing more confident with every match. And then she found the try zone. Twice. Isabella scored the first two tries of her rugby career, marking a major milestone in her young rugby journey and helping propel the B-side through its two victories. From strong defensive work to finding the try line, Isabella's growth was impossible to miss.

Queen's Standard: Kaylee Hurkman

Kaylee put in the work throughout the day, combining hard-hitting runs with smart looping plays that created space and opportunities for her teammates. But her impact went beyond what happened with the ball. She consistently supported the players around her, maintained a positive attitude, and put the team first. She didn't just make plays. She helped make her teammates better.

Week 2 in the Books

One week ago, the Valkyries were battling through rain and mud while learning how to play together. This week, they showed what that work can produce.

Five wins. One loss.

An A-side comeback. A perfect 2-0 day for the B-side. New players making breakthroughs. Veterans stepping into leadership roles. And a team continuing to build something together.

The 2026 Fall 7s season is only two weeks old, but the Valkyries are already showing that every practice, every rep, and every match matters.

Next stop: Sunday, October 4. The battles continue.

Cover photo by Spencer Dockweiler.