Glendale, Colo., is once again alive with championship rugby this weekend. This Saturday and Sunday, the senior clubs will name their number-one teams for the 2016-17 season, and two of those titles will go to women’s clubs.
DIVISION ONE
Both Life West and Raleigh are familiar with the national championships. Life West of Hayward, Calif., is the reigning DII club national champion and is chasing a first-ever in women’s club rugby: back-to-back national titles in different divisions. The Gladiatrix boast high-level talent in 7s and 15s Eagles as well as athletes worthy of a NASC invite.
Life Seeks 2nd National Title: Read More
Life West wing Angelina Lomu during an early-season win over Berkeley /// Photo: Jackie Finlan
Raleigh won four DII national titles from 2005-11 and the last couple of years has seen the Venom build steadily in Division I. Last year, the North Carolina side fell nine points short of Chicago North Shore in the DI national semifinals. After a nice start to 2017, Raleigh dropped back-to-back games to MAC rival NOVA. But when it came time to contest a berth to the national final, Raleigh came away with win.
Raleigh Rallies for Nationals Berth: Read More
Raleigh inside center Jennifer Larrimore gets the pop from No. 8 Cerrin Eldridge /// Photo: Raleigh Rugby Club
DIVISION II
San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) and Milwaukee Scylla will determine the DII national title on Sunday, June 4 at 1:00 p.m. Mountain. SFGG competed in the same league as Life West, but an adjustment to the post-season pathway allowed the NorCal side to confirm what it had been suspecting: It is indeed a good DII team. Now the Bay Area team has the chance to change that descriptor from “good” to “best.”
Golden Gate Chasing DII Gold: Read More
Impactful newcomer Roz Okpara /// Photo: Jackie Finlan
Like SFGG, Scylla had been playing behind a dominant team in the same league, but when former DII national champion Wisconsin moved to Division I, the Milwaukee side had room to breathe. Scylla, too, has spent the season confirming what it already knew, that it has been good enough to compete at the top of DII. Milwaukee knocked off Harrisburg and Providence en route to the team’s first trip to the national final.
Scylla Gets Its Shot: Read More
Scylla president Jessica Martinez /// Photo: Sabrina Bukvich
Tune into The Rugby Channel for all of the championship matches.