GRR: Women DI College
Indiana and Michigan were both undefeated as they entered last weekend’s match, and had enjoyed some good warm-up matches to prepare for the competitiveness of the Big Ten. Both teams are working with large pockets of young, developing players, which bodes well for the future, but adds some stress to the present.
The 2014-15 season was an unforgettable one for Life University, which competed in its first DI season and finished third at the national spring championships. The Running Eagles then followed with a debut performance at the CRC 7s and sent a representative to the first-ever Women’s Collegiate All American 7s team, which won the Elite City 7s.
The National Collegiate Varsity Women’s Rugby Association (NCVWRA) voted a national championship into existence this fall. A five-person tournament committee composed of three athletic department administrators and two varsity coaches will name and seed the top eight varsity programs. The quarterfinals will occur on Nov. 14, and the higher-ranked team will host.
In the Big Ten, it’s Penn State and everyone else, but that race for second-best is always a good one. Indiana has been the traditional runner-up, but after a couple big losses during the friendly season, the competition for #2 might be closer than years previous.
Central Washington launched into action last weekend, traveling to ORSU for an extended friendly. The Oregon side fielded a mixed squad – one with DII club and Women’s Premier League players – but it was the visitors who put the right combination on the field. The Wildcats won the 80-minute match 55-10, and then followed with a 17-3 victory during the third period.