College Women
Saturday was an important day for Life University, as the women’s team played its first matrix match in the DI Southeast Independent Rugby Conference. The Running Eagles celebrated in convincing fashion, running in 15 tries during the 90-0 victory over Florida State.
After a lackluster start to its league season, Stanford rebounded with a convincing 52-0 win over Chico State to improve to 2-0 and top the Pacific Mountain Conference’s West standings. The Wildcats are now 0-2.
A nice race has developed in the Pacific Mountain Conference’s North division. Central Washington has established itself as the title favorite, but Washington State and Oregon are now embattled in a neck-and-neck for second. And there’s plenty at stake.
The women’s DII West Coast got off to a rocky start - a couple of game cancelations and forfeits, a program folded – so interest consolidated around the conference’s top teams. The first match of note occurred last Saturday between UC Santa Cruz - last year's conference runner-up - and perennial contender UN Reno, but the result was somewhat unexpected.
UC Berkeley (Cal) started its league season in winning fashion, defeating Chico State 35-10 on Saturday. The bonus-try performance shot the Lady Bears atop the Pacific Mountain West’s standings.