There was no movement in the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) rankings but that’s not to say there weren’t interesting outcomes across the three competitions.
Three of five Tier 1 teams were idle, but Army West Point traveled to DI Elite Penn State for a massive 70-0 win. Junior Damaria Morton scored six of the Black Knights’ 11 tries, while Bayleigh Gable added 15 points on six conversions and a penalty. Harvard also played Brown to a 42-14 victory, but since the Bears are Tier 2, the result doesn’t figure into the record. This Saturday at 11:00 a.m. ET, Dartmouth and Harvard will contest the Ivy League Championship on ESPN+.
Tier 2 was gripping as always. The highly anticipated match between West Chester and Queens University of Charlotte occurred on neutral ground at James Madison University in Virginia. Both teams scored 12 first-half points, and then Antares Lance dotted down her second try of the day to push the Royals ahead 19-12. The Golden Rams then rallied with four-straight tries from Faith Morley, Heather Spangler and two from Autumn Czaplicki (who scored three tries on the day) to win 38-19. (Also, Queen’s match report)
Another thriller occurred between Mount St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn. The Mountaineers established an early lead that held for the majority of the game, but the Pioneers were relentless. The home side eventually tied it up at 15 and then with 12 minutes to play, led 22-20. It wasn’t until the final two minutes that Mount St. Mary’s sent Jen Lewaren across for the game-winning try: 25-22 the final. (Also, Sacred Heart’s match report)
In Tier 3, Norwich traveled to New England, and the scoreline tightened a bit in the rematch. The teams remained within a try of each other until the 70th minute, and then a second, final try from Kennedy Mack and Emma Parizo conversion sealed the 24-10 victory. (Also, UNE’s match report)
Bowdoin hosted DII College Fall Champion Vassar College in non-league play and held a 12-10 edge into the break. The Polar Bears extended its lead to 24-15 by the turn of the fourth quarter, and it held until minutes remaining in the match. The Brewers took advantage of errors and put away two scores through Emma Manzella and Emily Howell for the go-ahead points and cushion: 32-24 to Vassar. (Also, Bowdoin’s match report)
Also, Tier 2 Long Island University got its first victory of the season against Tier 3 Castleton, playing three 10s games. Maquisha Gillet (5), Lynsey Danko (4), Caitlin Johnstone (2), Sara-Grace McCannon (2) and Nakoya Hayes (2) had multi-try days while Haniyah Baugh kicked five conversions.
