The Midwest Rugby Union will name its senior club 15s champions this Saturday in Lemont, Ill., while the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU) holds its semifinals in Weymouth, Mass. The victors extend their post-season into May 2025, whether heading directly to USA Club Rugby nationals (for women’s DI) or to the Super Regional Championships (SRCs) first. The only other women’s club champion that has won a trophy so far? Union County Mudturtles, the three-time reigning DIII Empire champ. [lead photo c/o Rochester Renegades @RRWRFC]

RELATED: Nov. 1-3 Rugby Scores • Rugby Calendar

MIDWEST

In the Midwest Division I semifinals, the higher seeds won their respective matches by convincing margins. The top team in the East, Columbus (Ohio), bested West runner-up Chicago Lions 64-15. Outside center Marcaya Bailous was particularly dangerous with ball in hand, scoring four tries on the day, while fullback Nykeisia Post and forward reserve Narcisse Jordan dotted down twice apiece. Captain and flanker Mary Kuhner kicked seven conversions as well.

The Squirrels advance to the DI Midwest Championship and there they’ll see the Metropolis Valkyries, the top West team. Last Saturday, the Minnesotans hosted 2023 Midwest champion Pittsburgh Forge and won that semifinal 50-5. The ball moved around the pitch in terms of scoring, with only inside center Megan Ahnen dotting down twice. Front rows Emilee Jalosuo and Libby Berg, scrumhalf Dalena Khothsombath, outside center Sarah Rosche, fullback Christina Licari and reserve Shaena Sparrow scored a try apiece. Flyhalf Whitney Swenson added four conversions, and Licari knocked one over as well.

 

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There is no Super Regional Championship (SRC) stage for women’s Division I, just due to the total number of teams countrywide, and so the Midwest champion will advance directly to the national semifinal/finals stage. Nationals are May 16-18, 2025, at a TBA location.

Midwest Division DII held its semifinals last weekend, again with the higher seeds hosting. Unlike DI, these knockouts were tighter contests. On the eastern side of the bracket, Rochester traveled to Buffalo last Saturday for the teams’ semifinal. When the teams met in the regular season, Buffalo triumphed 20-14, so it was always going to be a good game. The home side raced to a 19-0 lead, but then the Renegades absolutely answered with 36 points. Scrumhalf Erin Terwilliger (2), wing Rai Parr (2), outside center Kris Rohan, and wing Zoe Romanowski finished the tries, while fullback Lizzy Standera added three conversions. Buffalo managed one more converted try, but it wasn’t enough: 36-26 to Rochester.

The Upstate New York team will face repeat Midwest finalist Grand Rapids in Saturday’s title bout. The Growlers hosted Palmer College in Michigan, established a lead near the 20-minute mark, and never let it go in the 24-10 win. Grand Rapids captain Emma Shimek accounted for 14 points on two tries and two conversions. Heather Ritchie scored both of the Dragons’ tries.

So it’s Grand Rapids vs. Rochester in Saturday’s Midwest championship; however, there is a slightly different weight to this title match. For the past few years, the Midwest has sent its DII champion and runner-up to the Northern SRC (May 2-4, 2025 in Springfield, Mo.). If that allotment holds, then Grand Rapids and Rochester have already extended their seasons into the SRC stage. With that said, don’t expect any kind of complacency on Saturday, as both are vying for their first-ever DII titles.

NEW ENGLAND

All of NERFU’s competitions will hold their semifinals at Union Point Sports Park in Weymouth, Mass., this Saturday. The victors will return for their respective championships on Nov. 16. For the women, DII and DIII titles are on the line. If weather impedes either stage, the playoffs will be played April 12-13, 2025.

Top-ranked Providence, which is back in Division II after a couple of anemic seasons in DI, plays #4 Hartford at10:50 a.m. ET on field 2. When they met in the regular season, Providence prevailed 57-5, but the Rhode Island team didn’t waltz through the competition overall. Its toughest match was its final league match — 33-25 against Albany.

The Knicks finished second in the standings and will see #3 Worcester at 2:30 p.m. on field 2. When these teams saw each other on Oct. 5, Albany won 38-19. As mentioned, the two winners on Saturday will return to Union Point on Nov. 16, and the champion will book its spot in the Atlantic SRC, which will be hosted in New England on May 3-4, 2025.

The Division III semifinals begin at 9 a.m. on field 4. Reigning NERFU champion South Shore takes on #3 Amoskeag. Then at 12:40 p.m., top-ranked Portland, which was relegated from DII this year, will take on #4 North Shore. In the regular season, South Shore beat Amoskeag 46-38, and Portland topped North Shore 46-5.

The Atlantic quadrant of the country is the only one that hosts a Division III SRC for its women’s club members. One team has already qualified for the springtime competition: Empire’s Union County (N.J.). Fellow Atlantic SRC competitors Eastern Pennsylvania and Capital will hold their respective championships in April 2025.

See the 2023-24 brackets for more context.