Week three of the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) Division I rankings saw one addition to the list. Crossover matches marked the Rocky Mountain conference, while the Rugby Northeast afforded all members their first game of the season.
RELATED: Games & scores: Sept. 23-25
The U.S. Naval Academy continues its tour of NCAA varsity teams that compete in the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) and traveled to Division 2 West Chester University last weekend. The Midshipmen have not defeated the Golden Rams since 2013, but that changed Saturday in the 20-10 decision.
“It was a well-played match as usual when going up against West Chester. They’re a disciplined squad and well coached,” Navy head coach Murph McCarthy told NavySports.com. “Our defense today was outstanding. Every meter West Chester earned today they had to fight for and we paid the same price when we had the ball. We capitalized on a few of their mistakes early and that was the difference.”
Navy led 17-0 early in the second half, as Sage McCallum, Marissa Meyer and Ana Olszewski scored tries, and Nicole Deprey added a conversion. West Chester responded with Heather Spangler and Taylor Baldwin tries in the middle of the second half, and with 10 minutes to play, the home side trailed 17-10.
A crucial Deprey penalty with minutes to play gave Navy a two-score lead to relieve some pressure. Navy held on for the 20-10 win.
Photo c/o navysports.com
Northeastern University played its Rugby Northeast match of the season and stunned with a 162-0 win against Rhode Island. The Maddogs scored 26 tries through Grace Pattarini (4), Gracie Arevalo (3), Kourtney Bichotte-Dunner (3), Jordan Kreisler (2), Margaret Barnes (2), Anna Pocquette (2), Louise Groton (2), Sarah Delaney (2), Ray Dauby, Madeline Eppley, Maya Raghaven, Victoria Isa, Ella Hughes and Stella Nielsen. Pattarini (9) and Barnes (7) handled kicking duties.
UCONN also had a good day, defeating Boston University 59-15. And UMASS opened its season with a 57-0 win against Boston College, earning a spot in the top eight. Emm Cullen, Alexis Edozie and Erin Bergeron scored two tries apiece for UMASS, while Tess Downes, Sam Broglio and Jessica Durkee dotted down one try apiece. Rebecca Ciaffi (4) and Broglio (2) kicked the extras.
In the Rocky Mountain, the Utah State vs. Colorado State match was postponed and will be rescheduled in October. A pair of divisional crossover matches did occur though. DII Colorado Mesa State pushed DI Colorado to a 36-31 decision. Air Force fielded a B side against DII Colorado School of Mines, and the latter won 51-22.
CRAA DI FALL 15s RANKING #3 |
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| Rank | Prev Rank | Team | Record | Results |
| 1 | 1 | Navy | 2-1 | 20-10 W v West Chester (NIRA D2). Upcoming: 10.2 Univ. New Haven (NIRA D2) |
| 2 | 2 | Northeastern Univ. | 1-0 | 162-0 W v Rhode Island. Upcoming: 10.8 Boston University |
| 3 | 3 | Utah State | 2-0 | Game v Colorado State PPD. Upcoming: 10.1 Utah Valley |
| 4 | 4 | UCONN | 2-0 | 59-15 W vs. Boston Univ. Upcoming: 10.8 Rhode Island |
| 5 | 5 | Air Force | 1-0 | B side played DII CO School of Mines. Upcoming: 10.9 Utah State |
| 6 | 6 | Colorado State | 1-0 | Game v Utah State PPD. Upcoming: 10.9 Colorado |
| 7 | 7 | Colorado | 1-1 | 36-31 W v DII Colorado Mesa State. Upcoming: 10.1 Montana State |
| 8 | unr | UMASS | 1-0 | 57-0 W v Boston College. Upcoming: 10.1 Boston Univ. |