Stephens during the 2020 LAI 7s / Photo: Jackie Finlan / TRB
Lindenwood University improved to 3-0 in the DIA / DI Elite season, defeating Central Washington University (2-1) 69-12 in Ellensburg, Wash. The game marked the second-straight road victory for the Lions, who will now travel to Provo, Utah, to play BYU (0-2) on March 27.
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“We went out there to just play hard and have fun,” Lindenwood vice captain Richelle Stephens said. “I feel like we play the best when we’re having a good time with each other, because the chemistry is there and everyone is happy. Also, we have quite a few seniors on the team who are just trying to make it a fun and exciting season, and that shows on the field.”
Stephens is graduating this spring, as are varsity props Nina Tuilaepa and Izzy Manu, lock Natalie Gray, flanker Alia Ah Far, scrumhalves Morgan Freeman and Meg Gold, and fullback Caring De Freitas. The group would love to extend Lindenwood’s championship legacy, and on Saturday, the team certainly looked close to form.
“Yeah, I have to agree with that,” Stephens said of the team picking up where it left off a year ago.
Central Washington was undefeated heading into the match, which doubled as a tribute to three graduating seniors: Spencer Boldt, Jherish Moananu and Mikayla Roberts. The Wildcats had defeated BYU twice and shut out Grand Canyon University in a non-league game.
“I just heard that they’re a really heavy-hitting team, that they’re aggressive and like the contact,” Stephens said of expectations. “In the past, I remember them being hard shooters, in defense especially. I was expecting to get whacked a couple times, which I did. And it was definitely a forward-heavy game on both sides, just because of the way they defended and played, and that forced us to play similarly to what they were doing.”
Stephens explained that the team prefers to play a more balanced game between the forwards and backs, and that she was impressed with how the pack responded to the extra responsibility.
“Our forwards did an excellent job,” the flyhalf said. “We don’t have a super young pack but since we didn’t get to finish our season last year because of Covid, we have sophomores who are big power players but only have 4-5 games under their belts. They had to carry a lot of weight and I was super impressed how well they came together.”
Stephens called out freshman flanker Ahnea Aupiu and sophomore No. 8 Kapoina Bailey for particularly strong games, and praised veterans Tuilaepa, Destiny Arena and McKenna Strong for always doing good work.
Central Washington’s defense sought to shut down the back attack before it could move wide, and so Lindenwood adjusted its lines and depth, or sent the pass over the shooter to connect with the back three of De Freitas, Demi Allen and Jessica Laughlin
“Jess is kind of a veteran,” Stephens said of the junior wing who scored three tries on Saturday. “She was coming off an injury when she returned last spring, and I think she got in one 7s tournament before Covid hit. She’s been playing awesome, especially for someone who just came back and then had to take another year off.
“Demi Allen is a sophomore, and I’ve been blown away at her performance,” the vice captain said of the regularly starting wing. “She’s such a powerful runner and a great tackler, too.”
De Freitas is arguably the most dangerous ballcarrier in open space and such a sure presence on defense. Everyone is happy with Eti Haungatau at inside center, and then captain Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru “is like another 10 out there,” the flyhalf said of the outside center. “She’s also dictating what’s going on.
“Even our subs are really good, too. But they’re young – freshmen and sophomores,” Stephens added.
Lindenwood built a 34-5 lead after 40 minutes, sending Strong, Haungatau, Laughlin (3) and De Freitas away for tries, while Natalie Gray kicked two conversions. Sammy Stern finished a really nice movement off a CWU scrum, getting around the corner for a very fast try in the corner. Strong (2), De Freitas and Freeman scored tries in the second half, while Gray (2), Haungatau and Stephens handled the extras. The Lions also added seven points on a penalty try.
The last try of the game began with Boldt breaking off the weak side of a CWU scrum and scampering into scoring territory. After a few forward phases to the line, Maryjane Pasioles rethought the pass down the line and quickly slipped through the defense for the centered try. Freshman reserve Kai Brandt-Templeton kicked the conversion for the 69-12 final.
“It’s a high priority to take home another national championship, for sure,” Stephens said. “Everyone’s really excited. Also, there’s the motivation of hosting playoffs possibly. For me, that’s a huge motivator. I definitely want to win but I would love to host [the national championship] and have my family come out and watch my last college game. That’d be awesome.
“Everyone wants to keep the title in our hands and play hard,” she closed. “We’re having a lot of fun together so I’m super happy that we get to play together and the season’s been good so far.”
In other DIA / DI Elite news, Life University’s varsity side defeated Orlando 52-17 in a non-league match, while the Running Eagles’ JV team beat DI Davenport University 29-14 in 15-minute quarters. BYU played an intra-squad match after Grand Canyon canceled the non-league game. On March 27, Lindenwood travels to BYU, and Central Washington heads to Life.