LAFAYETTE, Colo. (USA Rugby Alex Solomon with GRR edits)  – The Women’s Spring Division II field shrunk from 16 teams to just four after four Regional Playoffs eliminated 12 teams from the competition. Humboldt State, Salisbury University, University of Southern California, and Tulane University each won two games over the weekend, qualifying themselves for the April 23-24 Spring Championship.

Known for a historically strong men’s program, it was the women of Salisbury who flexed their muscles at the East Regional. First, Salisbury slammed UNC-Charlotte, 53-20, to set up a match against 2014 National Champions Mary Washington – who outplayed South Carolina on day one, 25-19.

In a rematch of the Capital Conference Final, Salisbury once again had its way with Mary Washington, ending its season with a 48-14 defeat. In the East consolation match, South Carolina showed a lot of heart by downing UNC-Charlotte, 41-17.

In Atlanta, Tulane only allowed 10 points over 160 minutes of rugby to advance to the Spring Semifinals. In its April 9 win over Eckerd College, Tulane received a two-try performance from No. 8 Maddie Brenner on the team’s way to a 30-10 win. Later in the day, Arkansas staved off a Georgia comeback to outlast the Bulldogs, 20-15, and set up a Sunday date with Tulane.

The short turnaround had little effect on the Green Wave, as Tulane jumped all over Arkansas. Brenner netted herself two more scores and flanker Tristan Peronard collected nine points off the tee in Tulane’s 39-0 shutout of the Razorbacks.

In a dramatic quarterfinal, USC stormed back after trailing IC Irvine, 20-7, to win, 22-20. It was the Trojans’ Catherine Tran who was crucial in the end, scoring two tries to advance Southern California. 

USC opened the scoring with a try from outside center Kimaada Kiongozi, which hooker Stacy Badger converted. But Irvine replied almost instantly with a try from inside center Elona Williams. Then prop Lapakitea Mesui, wing Leanne Nguyan, and Hannah Naefke all touched down to produce a 20-7 halftime Irvine lead.

The only worry for UCI was that they didn’t convert any tries, and so the Trojans were still within reach. Six minutes into the second half Alexis Bradby went over, and four minutes later inside center Catherine Tran’s try made it 20-17. The game stayed that way until 13 minutes to go, when Tran’s second try put USC ahead to stay.

Meanwhile, UC Riverside went into the playoffs undefeated at 6-0, having given up only 29 points in total, but were defeated by Fresno State in another comeback. Fresno State opened the scoring with a try from outside center Stephanie Rovetti, with wing Cady Riley converting. Riverside's Michelle Hong touched down and converted to tie it up, and then flanker Lauren Oh touched down and flyhalf Arielle Casillas made it 17-7. But Fresno State re-took the lead with tries from flyhalf Alexandra Knapp, Rovetti, and Riley. No. 8 Emma Dixon put Riverside back in front, only for flanker Nikki Wheeler to score for Fresno. Hong scored her second for Riverside to make it 27-24 UCR, but in the final seconds, Rovetti got through for the game-winner, and Riley converted to cap a 31-27 Fresno State victory.     

Fresno State controlled the semifinal for the first 40 minutes, as Rovetti scored twice to produce a 24-10 lead for the Bulldogs at intermission. But then it was all USC. Lock Joyce Chuinkam, and Kiongozi the center, both scored with Badger converted both to tie the game. Kiongozi's third of the day put USC ahead, prop Bradby touched down, and Kiongozi scored her fourth of the day to cap a remarkable 31-0 run for USC and a 41-24 victory for the Trojans.

In the Pacific Regional in Davis, Calif., Humboldt and Nevada-Reno played through wet conditions to post easy day one wins. Humboldt ran past Long Beach State, 52-5, and Nevada-Reno was far too potent in its 57-5 bashing of Western Oregon. In the Pacific Final, it was Humboldt with more left in the tank, as the Lumberjacks posted a 37-12 victory over Reno. In the consolation match, Long Beach looked much better in the region’s second day – besting Western Oregon, 22-10.

The four Spring Semifinalists will have two weeks to rest and prepare for the April 23-24 Spring Championship at UC Davis. In one semifinal fixture, Humboldt will take on USC, while Salisbury pits itself against Tulane. The winner of each contest will play the following day with a chance to play in the May 7 Women’s DII National Championship on the line.

Awaiting the winner of the Spring Championship is Fall Champion Davenport University. The May 7s Women’s DII National Championship will be played at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., as part of the USA Rugby College 15s National Championships.