Lindenwood in the Bay Area •
In September and October, Lindenwood’s first and second sides played teams from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Georgia and Pennsylvania (and an all-star team). The fall ended with a two-game tour of California against Stanford and UC Davis, and preceded a travel-heavy spring that includes trips to Las Vegas, Ireland and of course DI spring playoffs.
Last Friday, Lindenwood shut out Stanford 118-0, and then followed with a 38-0 win over DI spring champion UC Davis.
“We had some specific goals for the fall as a coaching staff: development by having all of our athletes get match time, mix up positions to increase player versatility and find our best combinations, emphasis on character development and mental strength training, and challenge ourselves to allow us to plan for the spring,” Lindenwood coach Billy Nicholas laid out the fall plan. “I am happy that we can check all of those goals off the list and I am excited to see what this young team can do in the spring in both 15s and 7s.”
Lindenwood took a 67-0 halftime lead before finishing with a 118-0 victory over Stanford. It was all about quick ball to stretch the defense, and maintaining continuity when all of the reserves took the pitch. Sophomore inside center McKenzie Hawkins led all point-scorers with 23 on three tries and four conversions. Caring De Freitas scored a hat trick, while Hannah Gauthreaux, Natalie Kosko and Davon Thomas dotted down twice apiece. Lia Ili, Isabel Manu, Kendal McCracken, Nika Paogofie-Buyten (Stanford-nominated MVP), AnnaKaren Pedraza and Tiffany Person scored a try each, while Richelle Stephens tacked on 13 points on a try and four conversions.
The following (rainy) day, Lindenwood traveled north to meet DI spring champion UC Davis. The Aggies were coming off tournament wins at Stanford 7s and Scrum by the Sea, and played a solid first half. The home side had two legitimate chances to score in the first quarter, but poor ball-handling and some panic created unforced errors, according to Davis coach Gary Gordon. Thirty minutes in, and after two held-up tries, Olympian Stephens dotted down her second try of the weekend. Right before the break, freshman lock Mireille Codjia slipped past a tackle for a 25-meter try, 10-0 at the break.
“Their size wore us down and we leaked an early try to start [the second] half,” Gordon referenced Hawkins’ fourth try of the tour. “They starved us of possession and covered the field really well. We subbed in some rookies and gave up three more tries.”
Lindenwood showcased its depth once again and put Anne Reed, Mary Healy and De Freitas into the try zone, with the final two scores occurring in the last 10 minutes of play. Hawkins slotted the conversions. Nicholas credited a solid effort from the Lions forwards, turning the sloppy conditions into opportunity to launch a relentless, hard-hitting offense in tight. Davis named Manu co-MVP alongside Hawkins.
“The tour was an excellent experience getting to play a DI Elite program, Stanford University, and one of the strongest DI programs in the nation, UC Davis,” Nicholas reflected. “The team had the opportunity to show their versatility on tour and once again their depth as a program, which really is showing the student athletes’ development.”
“This tour was a good way to end the season,” Hawkins added. “We have never played Stanford or UC Davis before and playing a new opponent is always a great chance to test ourselves in attack and defense and strategize. All the players on our tour contributed, which is a testimony to the depth of our team. We are excited to prepare for the spring.”
The Lions will play a mixed 7s and 15s schedule in the spring, and the Feb. 25 match against Life University is presently the first match on the 2017 calendar.