Mary Washington scored the most tries last weekend. / Photo: Michael Harrington
The 15-team DII Capital conference began league play last weekend and saw five games across three pools take place. There’s been one change to the competition this year in that the three NSCRO-eligible schools have elected to align with the DII post-season.
RELATED: DII College Conference Review • Scores: Sept. 15-17, 2017 • Capital Conference Info
The game of the weekend occurred in the SOUTH division, as Old Dominion rallied to defeat Longwood 27-20. Longwood ran out to a 10-point lead before Tianna Williams got her side on the board with a try before the half, 10-5. Despite having only 15 players available, Old Dominion decided the game in the final 15 minutes, as Josette Ver, Sha’Quayla Davis, Alyssa Lehn and Michell Tapia scored tries, and freshman Gabby Bell added a conversion.
“Our endurance and determination outlasted theirs,” Old Dominion captain Amy Franco explained. “There was never a time when our team doubted that we couldn’t win. Everyone gave their best effort for all 80 minutes.”
“I thought our ability to play in terms of fundamentals was huge,” Old Dominion coach Stephen Murray assessed the outing. “We hurt ourselves on more than a couple occasions playing the ball on the deck, just getting too excited. Besides that, everything else was efficient and clean. We were able to recycle the ball with great success. A ton of heart and buy-in into our coaching staff’s system while applying great technique with the basics won it for us Saturday.”
Also in the South division, Mary Washington shut out Virginia Commonwealth 79-0. Jackie Sherman led all point-scorers with 22 on two tries and six conversions, and Sidney Casey (3) and Beth Haden (2) put in multi-try performances. Ashleigh Holzworth added seven points on a try and conversion, and Zoe Fox, Maddie Harple, Tem Ogungbade, Olivia Stuart and Marissa Wood contributed a try apiece.
This weekend, Old Dominion will host Virginia Commonwealth, and Mary Washington will travel to William & Mary.
The NORTH division saw two shutout wins. Salisbury defeated Maryland 70-0 and was led by a six-try performance from Ciara Harbaugh. Sara Marcado added 15 points on a try and five conversions, and Katharine Davis (2), Elisa Rivera, Briana Prescott and Presley Chaney also scored tries.
UMBC bested Johns Hopkins 46-0. Glori Keough led all UMBC try-scorers with three, and Uche Osia, Chika Ezeonyebuchi, Anna Sava, Tina Krastel and Lindsey Scott scored a try apiece. This Saturday, Towson will open up against Maryland, while Johns Hopkins hosts Salisbury.
In the lone CENTRAL division match, George Washington topped American University 60-12. George Washington will take a break this weekend, while American hosts George Mason, and Georgetown travels to Catholic University.
The regular season ends the weekend of Oct. 21, and then the quarterfinals follow on Oct. 28. The final four will be held Nov. 4-5, and the conference finalists will advance to the DII spring championship, as opposed to the fall championship.
Click here for more info on Capital standings, results and schedule.