Tulane University’s third trip to California in as many years has yielded the Louisiana program’s second DII College Spring Championship. The Green Wave defeated Fresno State 38-17 in Friday’s semifinal and then topped Claremont Colleges, which beat Salisbury 44-27 yesterday in the title bout 31-14. (Stay tuned for interviews)
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Akin to the team’s semifinal, Tulane had to rally from an early deficit. Perhaps propelled by the adrenaline that accompanies a hometown crowd, or in facing a three-time spring finalist, Claremont ran out a 14-point lead. Hooker Autumn Herness opened the scoring six minutes in, and fullback Alexandra Parker added the conversion. Minutes later Claremont was back in Tulane’s 22, and flyhalf Joey Yamada sent a perfect flat pass across the back of the scrum into the hands of the on-running Parker. It all happened too fast for Tulane to adjust, and with the fullback’s conversion, the Foxes led 14-0.
Both teams cleaned up their games in and around the ruck, and so momentum wasn’t greatly affected by the stop-start of penalties like Friday. In the second half, Tulane did get dinged for two separate yellow cards (dangerous tackles), but somehow the Green Wave was able to score on both occasions while playing down. Tulane seems to thrive when there’s a challenge to overcome.
As the first water break approached, Tulane started to gallop. Fullback Gwen Leifer nearly took the corner but a desperate tackle pushed the wily ballcarrier into touch. A series of panicky exchanges followed, as Jessie Ribera poached Tulane’s ball, and later Yamada’s clearance kick was blocked. Tulane then received back-to-back opportunities to drive its effective lineout maul to the try line, and No. 8 Maddie Brenner scored her team’s first try, which was converted by Rohen Turner, 14-7.
Tulane kept the pressure on, and Claremont penalties (high tackle, scrum) allowed the Green Wave to keep attacking inside the 22. The Foxes’ defense repelled several goal-line advances, holding up at least two tries. Finally, however, an attacking five-meter scrum allowed flyhalf Hannah Hoover to crash to the line and set up a quick recycle to Brenner, who powered her way in for her fifth try of the tournament, 14-12 into the break.
The first 10 minutes of the second half saw play stay in Claremont’s end, and Yamada had trouble executing exit strategies. To boot, the Green Wave had its hands all over the Foxes’ lineout, and so when the ball to get to touch for some relief, Tulane was able to steal it back. From a five-meter scrum, which resulted after a held-up try, Leifer inserted into the line, angled to the corner, and wing Dana Woller did an excellent job pulling the fullback into touch. But Tulane stole the lineout and moved it quickly to hard-working Lily Wissinger, who raced into the space for the try.
Turner converted for the 19-14 lead and was yellow carded shortly afterward. Claremont did not lean on that Yamada-Alimena connection as much as Friday, and although the flyhalf did well to mix up the attacking options, the hands out wide slipped. It became frustrating, especially as the work inside produced turnovers and absorbed massive tackles. In the end, the Foxes couldn’t capitalize on two yellow card advantages in the second half, and Tulane kept attacking.
The Green Wave made north-south gains with every carry. Prop Alexandra Clarke was particularly devastating. Last year, she played in the centers, with Brenner, so she’s no stranger to open-field running, and she scored two tries through the center, just pumping her legs. Turner converted both for the 31-14 win and title.
Interview with Tulane coach Jessica Mallindine to come.
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