After defeating Chicago North Shore 29-8, women's DI club Glendale has taken the lead in Competitive Region 2. And they're making an early bid to stay there for the season.

The Raptors have enjoyed an influx of current and former Eagles, all of whom have relocated to rugby-welcoming city. Kitt Wagner just returned from the Nations Cup in August; Jill Potter is a former USA captain; Hannah Stolba has been in the Eagle pool; and recently graduated Tyra McGrady has tons of experience with the American age grade teams and USA 7s.

"On paper you can see that we're talented," Glendale coach Lisa Rosen said. "But we have tons of players who have been here a long time and for whatever reason haven't made it onto the rugby map. They keep the values and work ethic intact, while the international players drive the level of play. We're happy they're here."

But with all that new personnel, Glendale's biggest challenge is getting everyone on the same page. Some of that struggle was witnessed during the first half of their match against Chicago North Shore this weekend. Until the 55th minute, North Shore led 3-0 in tight, defensive battle. The hosts did well to slow the ball down and shutting down attempts to send it wide.

"We knew North Shore was bigger and stronger than us, but we're fit," Rosen said, "and training in Colorado certainly helps with that. We knew that if we were patient on defense, then things would eventually open up."

Glendale's superior fitness and efficient support lines began to break North Shore's defense, and room was finally afforded to its many strikers. McGrady made good use of ball in hand, and in six minutes scored two tries. Wing Andrea Prazinski, outside center Bethany Humphreys and Wagner at flanker followed with five-pointers. Stolba slotted two conversions.

Rosen was pleased with the second-half performance and the team's ability to work off each other well. They'll need that kind of cohesiveness when the Raptors face Chicago, which Rosen deemed the biggest challenge in CR2. Unfortunately, Glendale won't have the opportunity to go live this weekend, as St. Louis has already informed the team that it'll be forfeiting.

Some of the players on the cusp of the DI team might be available for Glendale's DII opener against Dallas. The West has constructed a new DII structure where two groups - one with Heart of American and Great Plains team, the other with Eastern Rockies and Rio Grande teams - compete toward a West championship and nationals seed.

Keep an eye out for both Glendale teams this season. They've been building and growing with every season, and with the added personnel this fall, 2011 could be a good year for the Raptors.