Women's D1 rugby in NCR is probably down to probably seven teams as we get to the business end of October.
And for many it is indeed the business end. Before we get to the playoffs several teams have important matches that will affect their seeding position. In addition, remember that the entire Rugby Northeast is in play this time and that adds more difficult teams that had been playing in CRAA.
Here's a bit of a look at who is putting their hand up to challenge for a title.
Allegheny
Notre Dame College came out of this conference to make the NCR final two years in a row. As you will know, the actual institution of Notre Dame College is now closed, and a large percentage of NDC Rugby transferred to Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. Well, the thing is they also graduated some effective players so Walsh is at the same time a new program and a rebuilding program. They are 2-1 thanks to a 17-15 loss to St. Bonaventure, and that's a big result because it could have major ramifications.
St. Bonaventure is 3-0 in-conference and 4-0 overall, having shut out their other three opponents with scores above 100. Makenna Ramsey has scored 12 tries, Natalie Lamar eight, and Taylor Cohen six. Interestingly, none of those scores in the 17-15 win over Walsh—that was Jillian Rea, Kaylee Middaugh, and Jaylei Wagstaff, with Elizabeth Lyons getting that crucial conversion. Lyons has 42 points in four games, 32 from the boot.
Also 3-0 is new program Wheeling. They have played more games than everyone else, having played six games (and received one more forfeit). So a much more battle-hardened Wheeling side plays Walsh on November 2.
Big 10
Michigan is looking to win three NCR titles in a row, but is doing it with a different lineup this time. The Wolverines do sit 3-0 and have Michigan State on the horizon this weekend.
"It's been a big shift having graduated 11 seniors last May," said Head Coach Jamie Frech. This graduating included try machine Ember Larson. But ... "we've been riding the tide of great recruitment and a solid strategy."
What has helped is USA 7s player Alena Olsen, who ran a clinic in Ann Arbor and, with her Bronze Medal, generated much interest in the program in campus.
""The hardest part each year is figuring out with our small coaching staff how to engage and teach the game quickly to our rookies while filling gaps in our top side," said Frech. "At this stage in the season our efforts are paying off with a few freshmen that have really stepped in and stepped up. The playoffs look different this year too as we go East instead of West and will likely face a Varsity opponent and Game 1. We are having a great run so far as we iron out the last details for playoffs and can’t wait to test our strategy against new opponents."
That would be someone like Bonnies or Wheeling.
Purdue is 3-1. They lost 36-7 to Michigan but have done well elsewhere.
Lonestar
Southern Nazarene is another school-supported team winning games. They are 3-0 in-conference led by many tries from Maya Hartnett. But notable would be the Crimson Storm's losses—92-7 to Lindenwood and 38-19 to BYU. Those losses show they can hang with the likes of BYU, and the speed and power of Lindenwood was a good lessons for them. They are certainly a team to watch.
