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The National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Division I competition has set its semifinals, which occur Saturday, Nov. 14 in two separate locations. The national championship will occur Saturday, Dec. 5 (7 p.m. CT) in Houston as part of a four-division finale. See all of the postseason pathways. [lead photo: Jackie Finlan / TRB]
Reigning national champion Southern Nazarene University secured the West #1 seed. The Crimson Storm still has three games remaining before the postseason: NCAA DI Brown University in Providence (Oct. 24), CRAA DI Life University in Marietta (Oct. 30) and CRAA DI Air Force in Bethany, Okla. (Nov. 7).
In the Nov. 14 semifinals, Southern Nazarene will face East #2 Lander University. It was the 38-31 win against St. Bonaventure last weekend that secured the berth to Springfield, Mo. The Bearcats have a tune-up match against NCR DII Coastal Carolina on Friday, Oct. 23. Stay tuned for an interview with head coach MaKayla Lowe.
On the other side of the bracket, Penn State is No. 1 in the East. The Nittany Lions beat Lander, New Haven, Walsh and St. Bonaventure, and still have Aquinas this Saturday and NCAA DI Sacred Heart on Oct. 31. Read more from head coach Matt Ramirez.
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Penn State will face West #2 Walsh University in Indianapolis. The teams played each other on Oct. 3 — a 31-17 decision to the Nittany Lions. Walsh played Southern Nazarene last week to a 45-10 loss and will tune up for the playoffs against St. Bonaventure on Oct. 30.
The DI semifinals are part of a larger NCR playoff weekend that will occur in Springfield and Indianapolis, as well as Rock Hill, S.C., and Canton, Mass. Across Friday-Sunday, Nov. 13-15, the playoffs will name DI-AA finalists, and DII and DIII semifinalists that will head to Houston for nationals. There is still more regular season to be played in the DI-AA, DII and DIII competitions before filling out postseason brackets. Stay tuned.
NCR DIVISION I
Saturday, Nov. 14 – Semifinals
Southern Nazarene (West #1) vs. Lander (East #2) @ Springfield, Mo.
Penn St (East #1) vs. Walsh (West #2) @ Indianapolis
Saturday, Dec. 5 @ 7 p.m. CT
National Championship @ Houston