Lindenwood Edges Life for D1 Elite Championship
Lindenwood Edges Life for D1 Elite Championship
In a game that carried all the drama that it deserved, Lindenwood University emerged 16-15 victors over Life in the 2022 Women's D1 Elite final.
Held during the CRAA Fall Classic at the Matthews Sportsplex near Charlotte, NC, the final once again produced Lindenwood as the champions, but it was a close-run thing.
Life was camped out for a long time in the Lindenwood end during the opening sequence. It was frustrating for the Running Eagles, however, as they just couldn't get that early try. Finally an effective give-and-go between flyhalf Saher Hamden and center Su Adegoke put Life close. Lindenwood defended desperately but were penalized and Jess Keating slotted the goal.
In a defensive clash points were at a premium. Keating had another shot after Hamden got close, but missed. Then Lindenwood had a chance to come back after Adegoke was yellow-carded. A massive break from prop Kapoina Bailey put Life on the back foot and the Lions recycled quickly and sent it out to fullback Demi Allen who took off to the corner. Lindenwood led 5-3.
Not long after it was 10-3 when center Amy Brice found some space. With three attackers to cover the final Life defender was out of luck and a dummy and little shimmy Brice was in and the Lions led 10-8.
A penalty for Life led to a lineout and maul. The forwards kept up the momentum and Abigail Bachman picked up and was over. That closed the gap but Lindenwood led 10-8 at halftime.
Lindenwood's next try seemed to put them in control. A long run from loose forward Samantha Ganoza put them in the Life 22 and then the forwards surged over—No. 8 Annie Nauer picked up and was over. Lindenwood started to put a stranglehold on the game. Impact sub Freda Tafuna was a huge addition, providing a series of massive carries to put Life on their heels.
Tafuna's work rate on attack and ability to break tackles, along with Jet Metz running the show from flyhalf, preserved that 17-8 lead.
As time wound down, Life did finally get a chance. A penalty set up a chance for a quick tap and Hamden then powered through to score. Keating converted the difficult conversion and it was 17-15.
Life had one more chance, but a kick ahead to get past the Lindenwood defense was gathered by Helen van Hattem and kicked to touch to end it.
Back to back to back to back to BACK champs
— The Rugby Network (@therugbynetwork) December 3, 2022
Congrats to @LUWomensRugby on winning the @collegerugbyus 2022 D1 Elite National Championship title for the 5th time in a row #usarugby #collegerugby @USARugby pic.twitter.com/wyluPRRZwj
For Life, Autumn LoCicero and Matilda Kocaj on the wings were effect but didn't quite get as much space as they needed. Angelina Nui was outstanding in the lineout and that was a good source of possession for a Running Eagles team that got really close.
For Lindenwood Brice was name MVP and she was a worthy recipient, but so was Bailey, who was powerful on defense, scrummed well, and made some key gains. Tafuna was a massive impact and Ganoza was also strong. Allen's work handling the Life kicking game ensure they didn't get burned there.
Lindenwood are worthy champions, but this is a very close-run D1 Elite, with Life just getting by Central Washington in the semis. In the non-NCAA women's college atena, this is the competition good teams need to be in.
