Photos: Groomes Photography
UNC Charlotte (UNCC) endured a tough February but emerged as a stronger, better team come DII Carolinas playoffs. Not only did the Mean Green win the league championship last weekend, and therefore receive the automatic berth to regional playoffs, but it also redeemed its regular-season losses during the conference final four.
“In the fall, our team relied heavily on seasoned veterans and a quick backline to carry the team. We went undefeated all fall and up until our last two games,” UNC Charlotte head coach Allie Pickett reflected. “When we played College of Charleston a month ago, we were not prepared mentally for tough competition. CoC was quick to see our weaknesses and played on them consistently.”
UNCC dropped that early-February contest 93-5 and then two weeks later lost to Coastal Carolina 44-10.
“They learned they cannot rely on any one player to carry them, that rugby truly is a team sport,” Pickett explained the lessons gleaned from back-to-back losses. “We worked hard to increase our awareness, develop our game and grow as a team.”
Three weeks later and UNCC put those lessons into practice. UNC Charlotte defeated Coastal Carolina 41-5 in the Carolinas semifinals, while College of Charleston topped Appalachian State 65-5 on the other side of the bracket. That set up a March 24 conference final between UNCC and College of Charleston.
The first half was tight, and UNCC junior Antares Lance scored two of her four tries in the first 40 minutes. Prop Blair Griffin added another five-pointer for a 24-15 halftime scoreline.
“Eightman Bridget Drake and scrumhalf Diablo Cohen led the halftime talk, and reminded the team that it wasn’t about one player, that communication and heart would win the game,” Pickett reflected.
Freshman flyhalf Nicole Mitchell, junior Ciarra Huhman and junior Erika Cobb scored two tries apiece, and Mitchell slotted the conversions. Lance scored another two tries in the second half for the 67-29 win.
“We began the season with the goal to make it to regionals, and even after losing three starting seniors to December graduation, we’ve accomplished that,” Pickett concluded. “After watching these ladies play the best I’ve seen in years, the [DII spring] final four is a strong possibility, and our new goal.”
Both UNC Charlotte and College of Charleston advance to the USA Rugby DII College Spring Championship, which begins with the Round of 16/8 on April 21-22. The teams will report to either East Carolina or Life University for the eastern portion of the regional championships. Teams from Florida, Capital, Southern Independent and Mid-America conferences will also feature at the two eastern locations.