Photo: Star Stevens
The CRC May Madness 7s is both new and familiar. The tournament evolved from a privately run event that halted operations after 2019, to one revived by National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), a membership organization that brought 50 teams to New Orleans during Memorial Day Weekend. Lindenwood University and Life University elevated the women’s division in years prior, and watching their 2021 battle inside a Major League Rugby stadium linked the event’s past with its future.
Life and Lindenwood played full DI Elite seasons this spring, and with their national championship occurring on May 1, the teams had nearly a month to transition to 7s. The Running Eagles had worked in some 7s prior to the CRCs, sending two teams to the Tropical 7s for the collegiate title. And then Life hosted its own tournament in mid-May, featuring not only Lindenwood but also Penn State in its first travel game of the year as well as the Colombia Women’s National Team.
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“I think entering the 7s tournament in Marietta a few weeks ago, we had a bit more of a light-hearted atmosphere, as we just got into 7s training and there were lots of things to still work out just coming off of 15s,” Lindenwood head coach Billy Nicholas tracked the last month of preparation. “Our selections were up in the air still so we brought two teams. That was a great opportunity to test out various combinations.”
Lindenwood ended up finishing second to Colombia, falling short in a 12-5 contest.
“Coming into the CRCs we sharpened up the goals and how we wanted to perform, and the team set the outcome of coming away as tournament champions. That was their goal and they treated it as such as far as prep and focus went,” he continued. “We consistently chat about playing to our potential – that’s the goal, win or loss.”
Photo: Star Stevens
Life and Lindenwood won their first three matches in shutout fashion. The Running Eagles beat the Allegheny Selects, Iowa State and Wayne State College (read more) 138-0, and the Lions bettered Northern Lights Select, Univ. Iowa and Northern Iowa 136-0.
“The team is always excited to play new opponents. That was something that the CRCs always provides each year we have participated,” Nicholas reviewed the field. “There can always be a competitive match in 7s. Teams have various threats and use different strategies, and that drives great conversation and learning experiences for our team on how to create opportunities for ourselves. We really value those quick halftime chats and post-match team talks.”
That process-oriented mentality means Lindenwood isn’t necessarily concerned with the score but the opportunity to improve. It’s why they play WPL teams and compete in the elite senior brackets at tournaments. It’s also why the team loves playing Life.
Photo: Star Stevens
“We know when we see a match against Life it’s going to be that same type of challenge and the team gets up for that,” Nicholas noted pre-final headspace. “It’s honestly a massive credit to both teams that they continue to see each other in various 15s and 7s finals. It’s a testament to the competition and the success of the programs and it’s only going to keep getting more and more competitive as other programs continue to grow.”
Teams were allowed to bring 15 players, and the roster got good work in the first three rounds. To boot, Lindenwood brought two players – Sydney Julich and Christina Norsten – who played for the South Atlantic Rugby Conference’s B side. For the final, two very familiar teams took the pitch with players who got a lot of time during the DI Elite season. And they delivered on a great game that showcased top-level rugby.
Lindenwood went up 5-0 on a Caring De Freitas try. Life had the opportunity to tie it right before the break, but a knock-on from the attacking five-meter scrum ended the first half. The Lions scored quickly in the second stanza, as the ball made its way to Demi Allen, who dipped out of contact and charged forward. Eti Haungatau took a nice angle that committed two defenders, and just as they collapsed, the freshman shipped the ball to Jessica Laughlin. A nice leading pass to Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru put the senior into the try zone for the 10-0 lead.
Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru / Photo: Alex Ho
“Sativa continues to grow into a great leader on the field,” Nicholas praised the championship MVP. “She shined in NOLA. You can see her confidence continue to exude in the way she plays. She didn’t have a ton of 15s experience before coming to Lindenwood and she has moved around a bit positionally and has grown immensely and will very much be helping lead the team here in the fall. … She provides consistency, and is a fantastic all-around player, attack, defense, creator, finisher – she can do it all. And most of all, she’s a great teammate.”
It looked like Lindenwood was building to a third try, as Morgan Freeman tore away and then drew a penalty in the breakdown. Haungatau burst into the Life 22, but the ball popped loose in the double tackle. Alex Wantlin was there for the pick-up and connected with fellow freshman Pepe Toomalatai, who came on for an injured Kate Buzby in the first half. Toomalatai sized up the resetting defense and then popped the ball to Adrionna Duncan bursting through the line. That change of pace caught the defense flat-footed, and Duncan had the pace for the long-range try. Wantlin added the extras for the 10-7 scoreline.
Duncan en route to a try / Photo: Star Stevens
There were still two minutes to play but no real scoring opportunities followed. The game ended at 10-7 and with the trophy in Lindenwood’s hands.
“We had some moments of brilliance throughout the tournament,” Nicholas reflected. “The last match might not have been the best we’ve played but what they did show is that they can win the close gutsy matches, too, and that says a lot.”
Nicholas praised the professionalism of the event, from the MLR stadium, to the conduct of participating teams, to the management of the tournament itself.
“Having a culminating experience like CRCs, that seemed like a pipe dream at the start of the school year,” the coach closed. “The women’s teams got more matches inside the stadium than any year before, which is where they want to play. There wasn’t a separate hotel for all the men’s and women’s teams, and programs were given the flexibility in things like accommodations. There were definitely some logistical things that were considered and learned from years prior heading into this year, and that was nice to see. As more teams pick back up next school year, I can really see this tournament growing – both in number of teams and competitiveness in future years as well.”
Lindenwood Roster
Demi Allen
Kapoina Bailey
Caring DeFreitas
Caitlyn Edwards
Morgan Freeman
Eti Haungatau
Salote Iongi
Jessica Laughlin
Manaia Moala
Kiarah Mosley
Punipuao Skipps
Richelle Stephens
McKenna Strong
Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru
Selena Tuilaepa
Life Roster
Su Adegoke
Emerson Allen
Malery Billingy
Kate Buzby
Morgan Crossfield
Adrionna Duncan
Saher Hamdan
Kennedy Keith
Jess Keating
Autumn LoCicero
Sophie Pyrz
Pepe Toomalatai
Chyenne Samuels
Jojo Skucek
Alex Wantlin