After four strategically played games, Strath Haven Ultimate Girls (SHUG) was named the champion of the Radnor Invitational on April 14, their first tournament of the season. 

Out of the nine teams that played in the tournament, SHUG won against Springfield 10-3, Columbia 7-6, and SLA 6-4. For the final, the team got two upwind breaks against Radnor, which is ranked 8th in the country, and won the game with a score of 7-3.

“We were really surprised because Radnor is our rival this year, and they have a lot of really strong core players,” junior Katie Stack, a field captain on the team, said. “We did not think that we would come out beating them to that degree.” 

The players used the windy conditions to their advantage, but their teamwork also played a large role in their win. 

“We really adjusted well to what the coaches were telling us to do,” Stack said. “We took it to heart and used it, and it actually worked. There was a connection going on.”

Although senior and field captain Sara Ventriglia was sidelined with an injury, she was able to watch the team play during their final game of the tournament.

“Getting to cheer them on and offer advice and support from the sidelines was a huge blessing to me, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this team is becoming,” Ventriglia said.

As of press, SHUG is ranked 12th in the nation and has been invited to high school nationals in Illinois this June, according to their X post at @HavenUltimate.

DISCLAIMER: Reporter is a member of SHUG.