GRR: CSULB
Grand Canyon University and UC Davis will face off Sunday in the DIAA Western Bracket after both won games on Saturday.
The quarterfinals in the West were played at Western Washington University's rugby stadium in Bellingham, Wash. on a cold, rainy day. The conditions may not have made for the prettiest rugby, but it was certainly dramatic.
The West Bracket of the Men's DIAA College Spring playoffs (we know, catchy) kicks off in Bellingham, Wash. this weekend with a team that's been there, done that, two teams that have been knocking on the door for a while, and one new arrival.
The DIAA playoff picture is almost complete, and by Sunday afternoon we will know all.
On Saturday, Chico State defeated Nevada and UC Davis defeated UC Santa Cruz to set up the much-anticipated Pacific Western championship game between those two teams. Meanwhile, Princeton beat Penn 45-0 Friday to advance Sunday's Ivy League play-in against Brown.
The Claremont Colleges beat Long Beach State 22-19 to claim the team's second consecutive victory in the DIAA Gold Coast conference.
CSULB has won the Gold Coast the last four years, but is in a little bit of a rebuilding phase, while Claremont, back in DI rugby after playing in NSCRO last season, is looking strong. Flanker Brian Rauzi was named player of the game for Claremont.
Grand Canyon edged defending Gold Coast conference champs 31-28 in an early marquee matchup in the DIAA conference.
With the victory, GCU moved to 3-0 in conference play and put themselves in superb position to be the top team in the league.