The DI Northeast culminated in dramatic fashion, as reigning conference and fall champion UConn faced Boston College in a heated final. The Huskies had won the teams’ final league match 15-7, and both kicked off the post-season with solid semifinal wins prior to the rematch. The Eagles made some adjustments and prevailed 17-10 in Sunday’s title bout.
Both teams are advancing to the DI fall playoffs. Boston College takes the automatic berth to the Nov. 19 quarterfinals and will face the play-in winner of Northern Iowa vs. Bowling Green, a match contested this weekend in Michigan. UConn contests its play-in against the Ivy League’s Princeton in New Jersey, and the winner will play Big Ten’s Notre Dame at Vassar College the following weekend. (see the full dI fall bracket here)
For Boston College captains Courtney Blair and Jess Pfost, this title was four years in the making. They’re joined by another five seniors who not only hold the important administrative roles, but also drive performance from the influential on-field positions. The duo also praised a handful of juniors, in particular Jade McGrath, who have stepped up this season.
“We’re lucky to have this much experience,” Pfost enthused. “Historically, BC has had a good team, but this is the best we’ve done recently.”
The conference championship took a different shape this year and merged all six teams. The top-two teams, UConn and Boston College, received byes through Saturday’s quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Northeastern defeated Boston University 20-12, and UMass topped Rhode Island 26-5 in 60-minute games. The victors then turned around to meet two fresh opponents in Saturday’s semifinals. UConn defeated UMass 34-19, and Boston College beat Northeastern 52-12. The placing matches occurred Sunday.
“We’re pretty similar,” Pfost compared the finalists. “Our forwards struggled a bit in the first [UConn league] game … and we didn’t play as aggressively as them. Historically we’re smaller but quicker in the forwards. It’s a tough match-up because we have to outrun them instead of out-muscle them. Our backs are our strongest point – we’re fast.
“We adjusted our defense in the second game,” the prop continued. “We didn’t ruck defensively and so their forwards couldn’t get as much yardage.”
Hooker Molly Collins stepped up her presence in the front row. She was unavailable for the first UConn match and brought a ton of intensity to the scrums. In the backs, flyhalf Blair had noted the Huskies’ strong kicking game and personnel shift. The Boston College back three were prepared for the strategy and responded well to the pressure. Tara Ramirez meanwhile had a stellar weekend off the boot.
“Me and the inside center crashed a lot more,” Blair spoke to further adjustments. “Monica Thorne is our high try-scorer and has been an asset all season. UConn was heavily guarding her and so the rest of the backs had to step up.”
Thorne scored her sixth try of the weekend against UConn, while Jenna Moscarelli and Sarah Strohecker also dotted down. UConn’s tries came from Alecia Alleyne and Christa Amoia.
“I’ve never seen so much excitement from the props to the wings, to the subs and fans, to alumni – it was an incredible feeling seeing how much support we have,” Blair reflected on the final whistle.
Blair and fellow veterans are eager to get back to the fall tournament. Last year, a depleted Boston College dropped its quarterfinal play-in match 86-10 to Princeton, and “we would love to show them how much we’ve improved in a year,” Blair concluded.
Three play-in matches occur this weekend, and then the DI fall championship bracket will be finalized. The quarterfinals and semifinals will occur in two locations (Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Cincinnati), and the East and West victors will advance to the fall final the weekend of Dec. 3 at Furman University.
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