The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) is wrapping up its regular season but good contests are still on tap. The following is a review of conference and non-conference matches in Division I and Division II/III, and records reflect those listed in the Power Rankings. Keep in mind that while the top-four teams and thus semifinalists seem apparent at this juncture, nothing is guaranteed until the regular season ends and a final review of the standings is complete.
DIVISION I
Attention shifted to the Lindenwood (6-1) vs. Dartmouth (4-2) match, which pit two top-three teams in the Power Rankings against each other in St. Charles, Mo. The Big Green took the first lead through first-year Marley Larkin, who dotted down her team-leading 10th try of the season. USA Eagle Freda Tafuna followed with an unconverted try, and the teams went into the sheds at 5-all.
The only points of the second half occurred 20 minutes in. Jasmine Fehoko, who like Larkin is a Majestics alum, scored for the Lions and Tafuna added the extras. The 12-5 scoreline held through regulation.
The Lions play a non-conference match against DII Davenport to close out their regular season, while Dartmouth will host Brown (2-4) on Oct. 25.
View this post on Instagram
The Bears hosted fellow Ivy Leaguer Princeton (0-5) and celebrated Senior Day with a 76-7 win. Senior Baptiste led all point scorers with 20 on four tries. Fellow senior Julia Murray kicked seven conversions. The Tigers will end their regular season on Saturday in Cambridge, Mass., against 6-0 Harvard.
The Crimson were meant to travel to Long Island University (1-5) this past weekend but the Sharks canceled the game. Here’s hoping Harvard’s Sunday game against Princeton comes off; otherwise, the top-ranked team will have played its last competitive game on Oct. 11 (against Sacred Heart) — more than a month before the Nov. 15 playoffs.
Army is looking strong at 5-2. The last two weeks have allowed head coach Jenn Salomon-Clayton to dip into the depth, as the Black Knights shut out DII Davenport two weeks ago and then went 3-0 against DI La Salle in a series of 10s matches. This Saturday at noon, the Anderson Rugby Complex will host the classic Army vs. Navy (3-3) match.
View this post on Instagram
Navy traveled to NCR DI National Championship titleholder Wheeling University for a Friday Night Lights game. The Cardinals prevailed 37-14 and ready for the post-season as the top-ranked team in NCR. After its academy match in New York, Navy will close out the season with a non-conference match against Penn State on Nov. 1.
The Connecticut showdown between Sacred Heart (3-3) and Quinnipiac (3-3) occurred in Hamden, and the hometown side went up 5-0 after a Lucy Lamborn try. The Pioneers responded with three-straight tries from Marie Jean Paulino, Reese Torticill and Carrie Coyer-Westerberg to then take a 15-5 lead into the break. Torticill dotted down again to open the second-half scoring and made her own conversion for a 22-5 lead. Rebecca Balladares’ try and the subsequent conversion closed the gap for the Bobcats, and then Julia Arnone added a Sacred Heart try at the death for the 27-12 win. Both teams will close out their regular seasons on the road — Sacred Heart travels to Long Island on Saturday, and Quinnipiac heads to Annapolis, Md., to face Queens University of Charlotte (1-4).
View this post on Instagram
Mount St. Mary’s played a non-conference match against DII West Chester and won 40-5. The Maryland team will host La Salle on Saturday to close out the fall. Roster numbers impacted the Explorers’ ability to play 15s against Harvard last weekend, so TBD on the format for Saturday.
DIVISION II / III
Two conference games occurred last weekend. AIC (3-0) walloped New Haven (1-4) 140-0. Kiyanah Edwards (5), Naomi Dodd (3), Mahina Hafoka (2), Luna Bussing (2), Morgan Schechter (2), Haley Thompson, Sheila Sarmiento, Mariah Cuarenta, Angel Davis, Makaleta Bloomfield, Taliamaia Fuala’au, Brooklyn Duke and SaTya Miller all scored tries. Bussing handled all of the conversions. Read more from first-season head coach Jay Bonti.
This Friday night, the Yellow Jackets will play DIII Bowdoin College (3-0) in Maine. The Polar Bears were off last weekend and will get one more runout — against Canadian Bishop’s College — before the postseason arrives. Remember that Bowdoin is eligible for the combined DII/DIII title — new this year.
Davenport meanwhile traveled to Frostburg State (2-2) for a 63-18 win. The Panthers are post-season quality; however, the team’s first-two matches are recorded as forfeits in the Power Rankings. There was a player eligibility issue that has since been sorted, but Davenport’s presence in the post-season is currently under review. The Grand Rapids team has a non-conference match against DI Lindenwood this Saturday. Frostburg and West Chester University (3-2) play an important conference match this Saturday in Maryland.
Emory & Henry College, Guilford College, Thomas College, University of New England and Warren Wilson College are not pursuing the post-season, and they’ve been playing a mix of formats this fall. Emory & Henry is meant to close the season on Nov. 1 against Warren Wilson, which is currently scheduled for Guilford this Saturday. First-season Thomas ended is 7s fall on Oct. 11 against UNE, which played its first 15s match of the fall last Saturday against NCR’s Univ. New Hampshire. The Nor’easters triumphed 47-12 and have NCR’s Colby College on the schedule for Friday, Oct. 31.
OCT 25-26 GAMES
Division I
Navy @ Army
Brown @ Dartmouth
Harvard @ Princeton (Sun)
Sacred Heart @ Long Island
Quinnipiac v Queens @ Navy
La Salle @ Mount St. Mary’s
Division II/III
AIC @ Bowdoin
West Chester @ Frostburg St
Non-Conference
Davenport @ Lindenwood
Warren Wilson v Guilford