Lindenwood made it two tournament titles in two as the Lions women defeated Life University 19-7 to win the May Madness Women’s Premier championship.
Undisputed national champions, Lindenwood went 6-0 in Atlanta, outscoring opponents 211-7, and then 4-0 in New Orleans, outscoring opponents 117-7.
They almost went unscored upon throughout the CRC but gave up a penalty try to a tenacious Life University right at the end of the final.
It was a very competitive final and Life began the game testing the Lindenwood defense early and a smart loop move seemed to have them free down the sideline.
But the Lindenwood cover was there, and while they got a yellow card for a high tackle, the Lions held firm.
After defending their tryline for a while, Lindenwood broke through, getting Helen Van Hattem enough space for her to gallop down the right side to open the scoring.
On the front foot Lindenwood was back there, with Amy Brice causing Life all sorts of problems. Life was forced to infringe and after three-straight penalties backed up against their tryline Lindenwood was awarded a penalty try. That whole movement was started by strong defense from Van Hattem and Demi Allen, and quick passing from Eti Haungatau to free up Brice.
Now it was an uphill climb for Life and Lindenwood made it even harder. The Lions started the second half playing aggressively and a nice given-and-go move between Brice and McKenna Strong got them close. Finally Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru was over and Lindenwood was ahead 19-0.
Life finished the game pushing for the tryline, and two yellow cards to Lindenwood ended in a penalty try.
But the game was over by then.
It was a dominant performance by a Lindenwood team that was solid top to bottom. Tarau-Peehikuru was awarded the MVP trophy and she promptly turned around and handed it to Allen.
It was absolutely the right move, said Brice, who was an MVP candidate herself.
Without Allen’s work on defense and in the rucks Lindenwood don’t shut out their other opponents and they don’t win, said Brice.
