The DII Carolinas conference still struggles with consistency, as forfeits are a common fixture on the schedule. Programs persist nevertheless and bear the ever-fluctuating collegiate landscape with patience, all while building for tougher competition beyond the league.
UNC Charlotte (UNCC), Coastal Carolina and College of Charleston have been the most consistent and successful teams within the Carolinas conference, and 2019-20 has been no different. All three have suffered at least one matrix loss, and one cannot underestimate the value of regrouping after a defeat.
“This year’s schedule has had its share of heartbreak and triumph,” UNC Charlotte president Grace McKnight explained. “Our age-old rivals, College of Charleston, dealt us a devastating blow after a close night game. That was extremely humbling for us. As a result, we re-evaluated and humbled ourselves. We put in a lot of work in the gym and on the field, and came back swinging.”
UNC Charlotte lost that mid-November match 27-19 and consequently College of Charleston featured on the first iteration of the 2020 DII Spring College Ranking. The Mean Green then opened up the spring portion of the season with a 26-5 win against last year’s conference champion, Coastal Carolina, which then beat College of Charleston 34-5 in mid-February. In between, the trio took forfeit losses to teams like Appalachian State, UNC Greensboro and Western Carolina. UNC Charlotte has one more matrix game against UNCG this weekend, and Coastal Carolina is set to play UNC Wilmington on March 21 to end the regular season.
“The playoffs are a mystery to us all as of now,” McKnight looked ahead with uncertainty. “Frustrating, but exciting. The rugby gods who control it all are hard at work, I am sure.”
Meanwhile – and this is always the strategy – teams focus their energies inward. Whatever the post-season looks like, teams must be ready to travel, play and perform.
“UNCC has always been fortunate to attract talented players and athletes. This year however, has been extremely special for us,” McKnight reviewed the roster. “We have an extremely effective mix of super old, grumpy vets and super fresh, talented rookies. In a lot of cases, our rookies are the ones that show great leadership and bravery on the field. The vets have been amazing at encouraging and teaching on and off the field, and as a result we fight as one large super cohesive unit.”
McKnight praised the up-and-coming rookie for rejuvenating the senior players and pointed to Veronica Munagorri, who represented the Carolinas GU Collegiate All-Stars at the LAI 7s, as the team’s “scariest player.” The team president described the group as “seasoned, calculated, and ready for any challenge that comes our way.”
“UNCC has always been known for being extremely competitive, and the post-season is never not our main focus,” McKnight added. “Success within our own playoffs as well as [the spring championship] is our driving force for years to come. This year, we have every intention of coming out on top after playoffs, as well as winning [the spring championship]. And next, world domination, probably.”
Remember, there are no “nationals” for USA Rugby women’s DI and DII colleges. There are two separate, seasonal champions – fall title is decided in December, spring title is decided in May – and they do not play each other for a 15s national championship. USA Rugby names a national champion for women’s DI Elite teams and college 7s. Outside of USA Rugby, NSCRO and NIRA name 15s national champions.
Although there is still ambiguity as to what this year’s regional post-season looks like, there is one certainty: Spring playoffs will not begin at the Round of 16 (or 12, the way it has shook out the previous few years with byes), but at the Round of 8. That would mean a four-team spring regional championship for both the east and west, and then a single spring final (at Stanford University on May 2). There are five conferences that would funnel into the eastern regionals – Capital, Carolinas, Florida, Mid-America and South Independent – so perhaps a play-in game is necessary. Again, await official information from USA Rugby.
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