GRR: Women DI College
Davenport is the top-ranked team in Division II, and sometimes that spot can be a lonely place in terms of competition. But Davenport and Notre Dame College, now a DI varsity program, have shared a healthy rivalry that has helped both teams stay sharp over the years. On Saturday, however, the Panthers showed that their claws are a little sharper and banked a 26-12 win over the Falcons.
The East Coast varsity tour is off to a good start, as Central Washington ran up a 66-17 victory over host Norwich (2-4) today. On Sunday, the Wildcats suit up in Hamden, Conn., and will look to keep its four-game winning streak alive against Quinnipiac (5-1).
Two weekends ago, Life (2-1) traveled north for its first two games of the season. After a shutout win against West Chester, the Running Eagles dropped a 14-point game to Quinnipiac. When the team returned to Marietta, Ga., coach Ros Chou tailored training to address some deficiencies discovered while on tour.
More friendlies await for Central Washington, but this weekend is arguably the most exciting for the Wildcats this fall. The Ellensburg team is on the east coast, and will play Norwich and Quinnipiac in an all-varsity double-header.
For those college teams that compete in spring leagues, the fall is often filled with recruitment, 7s, and tournaments. But some student-athletes have been intensifying these friendly seasons and taking advantage of higher-level women’s clubs in the area.