College Men
It was a busy weekend for Men's DII college teams looking to qualify for the USA Rugby College 7s Championships in Cary, NC.
Joining Wisconsin-Whitewater and Minnesota-Duluth in the championship, Marist defeated Vassar 24-14 to win the Tri-State; Salve Regin defeated Endicott to win the CCRC; UMass-Lowell needed overtime to beat Bentley and win Rugby Northeast.
Some interesting college 7s action this weekend.
Salve Regina went 6-0 to win the Colonial Coast Rugby Rugby Conference 7s Saturday, and garner a spot at USA Rugby's Men's DII College 7s Championships in Cary, NC in May.
Salve defeated Endicott in the final behind Connor Murphy's two tries. Murphy was named MVP of the final.
UC Davis is back in the national DIAA final after beating Arkansas 32-15 Sunday in the national semifinal.
This was a hugely intense game with both sides hitting hard and fighting tooth and nail.
“Last year we were too beat up by the time the playoffs came,” said Arkansas Coach Warren Fyfe. “But this year, they knew they were in a game, for sure.”
St. Mary’s joined Lindenwood, Life, and Utah in the DIA semifinals with a convincing 77-17 defeat of Air Force Sunday.
The Arizona State Sun Devils lost to the Mexican National Team 30-23 at the Fiesta Bowl Rugby and Balloon Classic on Saturday night. The Sun Devils played the best rugby of the season pushing Las Serpentines all the way to the final whistle.
“The way the guys played tonight was testament to their hard work," said ASU head Coach Gary Lane. "They played the best rugby of the season.”