The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) is home to the majority of NCAA women’s rugby varsity programs, and it’s moving into the 15s postseason. Last weekend’s games sealed the Division I and Division II standings and thus semifinal pairings, and now the higher seeds can prepare to host the Nov. 16-17 matches. Division III is a final only and will contest its title match alongside DI and DII on Nov. 23 at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H.
RELATED: Nov. 1-3 Rugby Scores
On Saturday, Dartmouth posted a 60-19 win against Brown, ending the regular season 7-0 and atop the DI standings. First-years Annie Henrich (2T, 5C) and Katija Crawford (2T) led on the scoreboard. The Bears ended the fall 4-2-1 to finish fourth in the standings, which means Dartmouth and Brown will meet again in Hanover for the Nov. 16 semifinals.
“It was a tough day at the office for the squad and we have a lot to focus on as we prepare for playoffs,” Brown coach Rosalind Chou told BrownBears.com. “Still, we had some great moments and individual performances. Yona Allouche kept our attack pace up and Aziza Alford was really physical for us and created several turnovers. We will recuperate and get back to work.”
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After a 41-0 win against Navy on Saturday, Army West Point (5-2) leap-frogged Brown in the DI standings, finishing third overall. Alissa Eisenhart (5C, 2P) and Stevie-Rae Ricklick (2T) led on the scoreboard. The Black Knights have a sub-varsity game against Long Island University on Friday, Nov. 8, but otherwise the team is readying for a trip to Cambridge, Mass., where it will face Harvard University in the Nov. 16 semifinals. The Crimson (5-1-1) wrapped up their regular season on Oct. 26 and second in the standings.
It is also very important to note that Sacred Heart University beat Quinnipiac University for the first time in the teams’ histories, 43-33 in Fairfield, Conn. That victory pushed the Pioneers ahead of the Bobcats in the standings, from 6th to 5th.
DI Semifinals – Nov. 16
#4 Brown @ #1 Dartmouth
#3 Army @ #2 Harvard
In Division II, American International College traveled to New Haven for the teams’ final regular-season matches and returned to Springfield, Mass., with a 111-24 victory. Camryn Henderson scored five tries, while Isa Van de Zand added 24 points on two tries and seven conversions. It’s the first time the Yellow Jackets have completed an undefeated regular season, and the team will look to extend that streak when it hosts #4 Frostburg State on Sunday, Nov. 17 for the semifinals. Frostburg played Emory & Henry College, a DII provisional team, on Friday and won 46-5. First-year Scout Spadoni scored four tries to lead on the scoreboard.
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Davenport University ended its regular season on Oct. 26, dropping its lone conference match 40-31 to AIC. The Panthers finished second in the standings and will host third-place West Chester University (2-2) for the semis. The Golden Rams spent last weekend beating DI Mount St. Mary’s University 31-22 in a non-league match. Emma Davies led with three conversions and a try.
DII Semifinals – Nov. 16-17
#4 Frostburg State @ #1 AIC (Sun)
#3 West Chester @ #2 Davenport
As previously reported, there are only two Division III teams playing regulation 15s, so the Nov. 23 championship will feature Bowdoin College and Univ. New England.