Sunday is the DI Elite National Championship

The DI Elite 15s National Championship occurs this Sunday, April 14 on the Grand Canyon University campus in Phoenix, Ariz. Lindenwood University and Life University will take the pitch at 7 p.m. MST for the sixth-straight season, and viewers can watch all of the action via The Rugby Network live-stream.

The last DI Elite champion was actually crowned a year-and-a-half ago. In the 2022-23 season, the competition experimented with a fall-based regular season and championship, and in December 2022, Lindenwood edged Life 17-15 for its fifth-straight national title. That game also marked both Ryszard Chadwick’s and Trevor Locke’s first final as head coaches of their respective programs.

For 2023-24, the DI Elite returned to a split-season format and April 2024 post-season. But even though there’s been a longer space between championships, the action hasn’t abated. Central Washington and BYU in particular provided solid competition to each other and the league leaders. And of course, the Life vs. Lindenwood timeline added a new benchmark when the Running Eagles for the first time ever beat the Lions in March 2024. Read more.

Photo c/o Life U

And it’s that final bit that heightens the anticipation of Sunday’s title match. While Life has played some really close games against Lindenwood, it had never taken that final step to bank a scoreboard win. As Alle English and AJ Haughey described, that feeling of achievement is addictive, and Life will be chasing another dose on Sunday. Similarly, defeat is a catalyst and there is no doubt that the Lions camp will come back stronger and more determined for the rubber match.

“Our team played well on the weekend,” Locke said after Lindenwood’s 75-12 semifinal win against BYU. “We were excited to get back out and build off the season we’ve had so far. We are working to something much bigger, and this team understands where we are and where we need to be.”

There is so much talent between the two squads and on any given day, any one player could be the inspiration that drives their squad out of a slump, over the try line, or into confident play. Lindenwood features two USA Women’s National Team players in loose forward Freda Tafuna and scrumhalf Taina Tukuafu. Both were absent from Lindenwood’s fall campaign until November, playing overseas with the Eagles. Both were in the running for the 2024 MA Sorensen Award, as was Amy Brice, but only Tafuna advanced to the finalists round.

Freda Tafuna / Photo: Todd Lunow

Lindenwood has good depth, but the team seemed to really settle into its top 15 in the second half of the year. The front row is solid and consistent with Lali Lafitaga, Jadyn Collins and Jenalei Fifita. In the fall, when Lindenwood beat Dartmouth in a non-league match, Locke credited their work as the difference-makers. They’re backed by the Fallbrook locking duo of Amanda Ware and Brianna Beath. Tafuna is a regular in the loose forwards and senior Ahnea Aupiu is always a solid choice there.

Jet Metz bumped out from flyhalf to inside center, and the playmaker is doing well with a little more space. Freshman Sophie O’Cain has also done well under the pressure of the No. 10 jersey. The back line is stacked, with try-scoring machine Amy Brice at outside center, the incomparable Demi Allen at fullback, and freshman flyer Madison Jersey aptly finishing opportunities. Again, rosters have not been announced yet, but this lineup has featured several times in the spring to great results.

Photo: Todd Lunow

Life played the most DI Elite-eligible games, getting in two matches against Grand Canyon University, which provided some exhibition games in Arizona. That field time allowed for a lot of rotation against top teams, and 23 Running Eagles scored tries in those DI Elite matches. Leading the way is center/fullback and current MA Sorensen finalist Matilda Kocaj with eight. In the most recent match against Lindenwood, there were several Kocaj vs. Tafuna photos, and all eyes will certainly be gauging the two finalists’ performances on Sunday.

Two first-years — lock Lissa Salisbury (7) and center Madison Doyle (6) — followed in tries scored, while grad students Adrionna Duncan and English, and junior Sarah Barsoum (who is also the head coach of the Atlanta Valkyries U18 girls) accounted for five tries apiece. Inside back Angelina Mason led all points scorers with 88, dotting down two tries, and kicking 36 conversions and two penalties.

Matilda Kocaj / Photo c/o Life U

But as mentioned, it’s tough to anticipate who will be playing where, as there has been lots of movement this year. Do expect, however, Haughey — a freshman and team captain — to be at No. 8 and working alongside English at scrumhalf.

Also expect a great game. No matter the changes or circumstances, Life and Lindenwood always deliver an entertaining, hard-hitting and adventurous game. Their rivalry is starting to align with that of the Penn State vs. Stanford days, and relative to the Dartmouth vs. Harvard showdowns. And we, the spectators, are very lucky to play our parts as supporters.