DI Elite teams play a host of friendly matches in advance of the spring playoffs, and the four programs create widely different schedules to suit their needs. Thus far, BYU has remained local while Life University has sought competition from senior club programs, and Penn State and Lindenwood will play their first games of 2018 this weekend.
BYU has already played two games this year, and the Cougars need more of a run-up considering the relatively tame fall. The Provo team has taken on Dixie State (87-5 win) and DI Utah State (56-0 win), and heads to Albuquerque this weekend to take on DI New Mexico.
Grace Taito leads all try-scorers with three thus far, and familiar players like Sia Skipps, Alisa Baker, Kainoa Ah Quinn, as well as Girls’ High School All-American Kat Stowers (United, Utah) all feature in the box scores. That said, 17 players have scored points thus far, drawing much intrigue into the depth of the squad.
Life University got more game time in the fall and also runs a full JV side competing in the DII Southern Independent Rugby Conference. The Running Eagles tested themselves against the Atlanta Harlequins, which were guest-coached by Kitt Wagner. A great battle evolved and the Marietta, Ga., side banked a 12-5 win. Alex Sedrick and Kaitlyn Broughton accounted for the tries, while Amelie Poulin converted. Read more.
Life will face more senior club-level competition this weekend as it takes on the Capital All-Stars, which are eager to get on the pitch after its first fixture of 2018 was canceled. FloRugby will be live-streaming the 7:00 p.m. Eastern match here.
The other two DI Elite programs will be active this weekend as well. Penn State will play the Ohio Select U24s, while Lindenwood University will travel to the KC Jazz, a DII senior club.