Photo courtesy Mines Women’s Rugby Instagram (@mines_womens_rugby)
USA Rugby has narrowed the DI Fall College Championship down to its finalists, and the DII Fall College Championship down to its semifinalists. All six teams will head to Matthews, N.C., on Dec. 7-8 to determine the titles.
RELATED: Fall College Brackets
It’s an all-academy final for the DI Fall College Championships, as 2018 titleholder U.S. Air Force Academy faces U.S. Naval Academy on Dec. 8. The Colorado Springs program beat Indiana 67-0 in the quarterfinals, and Minnesota 71-10 in Sunday’s semifinals. Outside center Jacqueline Hamby led all point-scorers with 48 (3T, P, 15C), while wing Sarah Stinson, No. 8 Kaylee Eskeli, scrumhalf Devin Doyle and inside center Adrienne Yoder all had multi-try weekends.
There was a ton of anticipation for the Navy vs. Davenport rematch, and the Midshipmen reiterated their dominance with a 45-22 win in the quarterfinals. Both teams held the lead during the first half, but Navy went into the break up 19-15 on tries from Clara Enninful and Kate McKinley (2), and two Nicole August conversions. Navy then put down four more tries through Ana Olszewski, McKinley, August and Enninful before Davenport could answer with one more score: 45-22 the final.
Day two was even more tense as UCONN, which beat Pittsburgh 67-5 on Saturday, awaited in the semifinals. The teams exchanged blows in terrible conditions – wet, cold and snowy – but Navy held on for a 17-10 win. Stayed tuned for interview with head coach Murph McCarthy.
In Division II, Colorado School of Mines is the newcomer to the final stage of playoffs, joining reigning champion Vassar College, Winona State and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the fall semifinals this December.
The Rocky Mountain champ beat IUP 22-10 in the Round of 16, taking an early 12-0 lead through Mary Oglesby and Magdalena Piwowarczyk tries and Joyce Kruger conversion. IUP answered through Olivia Grim and Chelsea Beck tries, closing to 12-10 at the break. In the second half, however, the Colorado team put Michaela Adams and Sophia Modar away for the cushion. Mines tightened up on Sunday and shut out Cincinnati, which had represented the Midwest the previous two years at final fours, 29-0. No. 8 Oglesby added another two tries, and Kruger accounted for nine points on a try and two conversions.
Mines will now play Vassar College in the semifinals. The Brewers beat Colby 51-14 on Saturday (read more) and Bryant 33-7 in the quarterfinals. On the weekend, Emily Howell (4), Mia Walsh (2), Caroline James (2), Charlotte Benoit (2), Catherine Gladstone, Emma Manzella, Meg Martin and Molly Lynch scored tries, while Aislinn Vences-Dimas kicked seven conversions.
On the other side of the bracket, Coast Guard will face Winona State. The Black Katts beat Northern Lights mate Mankato 43-0 on Saturday and then Grand Valley State 74-12 in Sunday’s quarterfinals. Lots of players scored tries, but lock Madelyn Rabideau, Abby Andler, Emily Becker and Diana Tapia Alverado all had multi-try weekends.
The Bears had to play a conference mate, too, but only after first beating Temple 53-7 in the Round of 16. The wide attack of Grace McInturff, Mary Sims and Hollis Roush did an excellent job of finishing off scoring opportunities and accounted for all of the team’s points. Meanwhile, Hartford beat Bloomsburg 50-40 on Saturday and lined up against its New England Wide compatriot on Sunday. A much closer battle evolved but Coast Guard won 24-12.
Stay tuned for individual team interviews.