Fifer eyes the try line. /// Photo: Gabriela Lim
When first-year program Grand Canyon University advanced to the DII spring playoffs, that achievement in itself became noteworthy. Then the Lopes won both their Spring Round of 16 and quarterfinal last weekend, making the headlines even bolder as spring semifinalists. The performance was worth a Canterbury College Player of the Week nod, among other accolades.
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The Arizona school took DII Gold Coast’s second seed into the post-season and traveled to Bellingham, Wash., for the Spring Round of 16 and quarterfinals. Twenty-year-old Jasmine Fifer of Fresno, Calif., served as captain and directed the team from No. 8.
“After we qualified for playoffs, it was more – we say, ‘It’s time to eat,’ meaning it’s time to work hard,” the Canterbury College Player of the Week recalled the build-up to playoffs. “There were nerves for all us of going in, because the teams we were playing against were both undefeated.”
The collegiate post-season was a new experience for everyone, and Fifer explained that 19 of the 23 players were in their first year of rugby. Fifer started playing the sport as a high school junior with Rugby NorCal’s Bullard. And before transferring to Grand Canyon from Fresno City College, she played some pre-season ball with Fresno State – knowledge that would come in handy in the spring quarterfinals.
The team’s nerves played out in the Spring Round of 16 match against Cascade champion Western Washington. Grand Canyon earned a yellow card minutes into the match, and the Vikings used that opportunity to send prop Riley Jewett-Chan across for the first points of the game. The Antelopes answered back minutes later, and the teams went into the break tied 5-5.
“They were strong and quick to the ruck,” Fifer said of Western Washington’s strengths. “They had fast ball, so we really had to adapt to their game on defense and coming up.
“It was just me wanting to reassure the team,” the captain said of the halftime talk. “Things were getting sloppy, and we were scrambling. We just needed to calm down, play our game, play the ball slow, and play as a team.”
Fifer herself was instrumental in gaining some momentum for her side. A powerful ballcarrier, the loose forward inserted into the back line and caught the defense off guard. The result was more go-forward and more scoring opportunities. Grand Canyon put up four second-half tries for the 29-5 win.
Meanwhile, Fresno State eliminated Eastern Washington from the post-season with a 62-10 victory. Fifer shared her knowledge of the Bulldogs with her side – that the West Coast team was experienced and skilled – but Grand Canyon was unbothered, having gained a lot of confidence in their Saturday win.
The Antelopes had to rely on that confidence – that the team could rally from a deficit – as Fresno State took a 14-point lead after 15 minutes. The dynamic halfback duo of Moriah Halteman and Jenna Balestra accounted for the Bulldogs’ scores (Cady Riley hit the conversions), and ended the weekend with a combined nine tries.
Captain Fifer put her team on the board with a try at the 19-minute mark, and then after a 20-minute scoring drought, prop Bijan Ross crossed for the team’s second try. Fresno State led 14-10 at halftime
“The first half was more of everyone getting a feel for the game,” Fifer said. “We saw where they were strongest and weakest – they were stronger in the backs, and that’s where they kept scoring. So we had to adjust ourselves and our line.”
Fifer singled out fullback Sarah Lawson for putting her mark on the game. The lacrosse crossover is the “sweetest, most quiet girl at practice, but during the game, she turns on that switch and goes all out,” the captain praised. Fifer also commended lock Kaley Lightfoot for keeping the pack’s physicality at a high level.
Fresno State extended its lead three minutes into the second half, 21-10, with another Balestra try and Riley conversion.
A thrilling lead change then ensued. Grand Canyon put down three tries during the rest of the third quarter (wing Natasha Opoku and Fifer among the try-scorers, and Opoku hitting conversions) to go up 27-21. Fresno State prop Kacey Jones dotted down in minute 68, and Riley’s conversion brought the Bulldogs to within one point, 29-28.
The teams went to war for the final 10 minutes, threatening each other’s line and digging into energy reserves. Fresno State’s hopes evaporated in minute 79, when Fifer’s try and Opoku’s conversion put the game out of reach, 36-28 the final.
“It was just straight tears,” Fifer remembered hearing the final whistle. “Everyone ran together and hugged and cried.”
Grand Canyon is back in Arizona and prepping for a trip to Palo Alto, Calif., for next weekend’s DII spring semifinals. The Antelopes will face reigning spring champion Tulane in the final four, while Kennesaw State and UC Irvine contest the other semifinal. The last team standing on April 23 will be named spring champ and earn a berth to the national final against fall champion Davenport (May 6, Marietta, Ga.).
“It’s OK to go in nervous because we were nervous in all our other games,” Fifer said of the team’s mentality. “As long as we stay head-strong and play our game, we will be fine – and have fun, that’s the most important thing. We’re realizing how far we’ve made it and are grateful for everything.”
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