New-Look Women's Fall D1 Has Growing Pains, But A Champion is Emerging
The NCR Women’s D1 league is underway, and that’s a good thing, as the games are (generally) going on and everyone is getting more strong competition and more challenges.
But it’s a work in progress. The challenges of travel meant that we saw a couple of forfeits, which is the complete antithesis of what this league is about. We also have seen a number of blowouts.
Now, fans might have seen this article measuring the women’s competitions around NCR this fall and how there are too many forfeits and too many lopsided (winning margin 50 or more) results.
AIC Shuts Out Bowdoin to Stay Top of NIRA Tier II
American International College improved to 4-0 with an impressive road shutout win over NIRA Tier II rivals Bowdoin College Friday.
The YellowJackets took the win 43-0, moving to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in-conference, while Bowdoin dropped to a conference record of 3-1.
Still, chances are that these two will meet again in the NIRA Tier II final on November 22.
"It means we've proven how strong and resilient we are together," team captain Annekkia Ritter-Truxal said after the game. "We truly are a family, always. I love this team."
An early try by Shiela Sarmiento, converted by Camryn Henderson made the conversion to give AIC a 7-0 lead.
We Judge The Women's College-Club Competitions
So, this article was supposed to be something else.
We started with the idea of writing about the new hybrid women's D1 college competition, which includes teams pushing exclusively for the NCR fall playoffs, and teams that are also looking at the CRAA spring playoffs.
And we started it all about saying this: "First off, college rugby for women in club teams and lower divisions continues to do its job—providing enjoyable and at times higher-level play for young women who want to compete and represent their school."
But ... is that true? Not exactly. If you measure the "enjoyable" but, we think the key measurable aspects (short of surveying players to find out if they're having a good time) is to look at what any player wants—frequency and parity of competition.
What's the Playoff Picture in NIRA?
Going into the middle of October it's definitely time to think about playoff scenarios in NIRA's DI and the combined DII/DIII postseason.
For DI, Harvard remains on top thanks to a very convincing victory over Sacred Heart. It was Senior Day at Harvard but the young players, including first-years Maddie Hubbell, Gemma Ogoke, and Sana'a Lunon all impressed.
No surprise, then, that Harvard remains on top and it's hard to imagine that Lindenwood or Dartmouth will catch them. And, interestingly enough, Lindenwood and Dartmouth face off this weekend in a semifinal preview.
After Dartmouth lost a close one to Harvard, Head Coach Katie Dowty said some decision-making and ball security troubled them. Loss of possession at key moments were possible the different.
West Coast 7s Shines in Round 2
It was a very successful 2nd leg of the West Coast 7s Saturday in Palo Alto, and a good reminder also of how strong a rugby venue Stanford University is.
Cal won the men's collegiate bracket, and really looked quite good in doing it. More on that in a bit.
The women's collegiate bracket was a round-robin and going into the final round Stanford was in a very strong position. Wins over Cal Maritime, Sac State, and Cal (the last one just 15-12) put them at 3-0. Cal Poly lost 17-14 to Cal in their opening match before beating Sacramento State, and Cal Maritime. Cal also beat Cal Maritime.
So that all set up the final round of matches. Cal beat Sac State, while Stanford was surprised but a hard-charging Cal Poly team 19-17.
Army Gets Power Rankings Boost After Key NIRA Win
Army West Point have vaulted themselves into the semifinal conversation after this past weekend's 40-17 win over Sacred Heart.
The winner of that game was almost certainly going to be put into 4th place of the NIRA DI. Army took the initiative early in the match on Friday, getting tries from Yesenia Morales and Alissa Eisenhart, both of which were converted by Eisenhart for a 14-0 lead. Sacred Heart answered with a try from Maria-Jean Paulino before halftime.
And right after the break SHU made it a one-score game with a try from Carrie Coyer-Westerberg. But in the space of about 12 minutes, Cassidy Ball, Gabby Woenker, and Emily Steen all scored for Army, with Eisenhart getting full value, and the Black Knights led 35-10.
Reece Torticil and Kieren Myles scored to wrap up the game.
Key Matchups in NIRA DI and DII
Well last week was interesting.
Harvard's close win over Dartmouth made sure that the Crimson were tops in the NCAA DI league at the moment. But everyone recognized that it was a close-run thing.
CRAA Fall Classic Returns to Spartanburg in December
The College Rugby Association of America has confirmed that the Fall Classic returns for 2025 and will return to the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC.
The event is held in partnership with One Spartanburg, Inc. and also with sponsors AEG Rugby, 8x8 Sports, Gainline Sports Management, Marriott, and Irish Rugby Tours.
OneSpartanburg, Inc. is the economic, tourism, and community development organization for Spartanburg County, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors while promoting the region’s vibrant culture and opportunities.
Harvard-vs-Dartmouth Delivers
In the big Clash of the Titans in NIRA, undefeated Harvard edged Dartmouth 36-33, scoring in the late moments to take the victory.
Harvard struck early as freshman Gemma Ogoke powered through two Dartmouth defenders with a stiff arm. Maya Hilger capped off a movement to score Harvard’s second, and with the Skylar Jordan conversion Harvard led 12-0.
Soon it was 17-0 and the Crimson seemed to be in control after 20 minutes.
Not so fast.
Another sparkling freshman, Marley Larkin, raced over for the Big Green, and that was followed up with a try from Katelyn Walker. Annie Hnrich converted both, and just a few moments later Walker set up Arielle Fotso. Henrich was good on the kick once more and Dartmouth went into the halftime break up 21-17 after being down 17-0.
Eager to Play, Air Force Women Start Strong
The Air Force Academy women's team might have to work extra hard to fill out their schedule, but it's also clear opponents will have to work extra hard to keep up with them.
Competing as an independent CRAA D1 team, the Falcons have Colorado State, New Mexico Tech, BYU, Wyoming, and McKendree on their schedule. And while we don't see School of Mines or Colorado Mesa on the list, and while Air Force remains open to more games (just hit up their coach) this schedule is already tougher than many conference schedules teams have.
Almost always made up entirely of players who have never touched a rugby ball until they show up in Colorado Springs, Air Force was a young team with promise last year, and this year have a strong group of returners who are leading the way. However, the Falcons also have some talented athletes just getting started in the game.
Showcase Matches Live up to Billing in NIRA DI
The big matchups in NIRA did not disappoint.
Dartmouth remains undefeated after beating Sacred Heart 43-29. SHU came into the game 2-0 in conference play; they lost last week to AIC but with a younger-than-usual lineup.
So really this was a game of two teams with strong playoff aspirations and it had the feel of a playoff game in many ways.
The Pioneers took an early lead when Samantha Melvin went over in the 4th minute, with Reese Torticill converting.
But Dartmouth responded; Cindy Taulava blocked a kick and chase it down to score, and right after Olivia Lyman's try put the Big Green ahead 10-7.
Back came Sacred Heart with Caroline Woelfel going over to put her side back in front. But Abygail Lambert had an answer for Dartmouth. Annie Henrich's conversion made it 17-12.
Major Matchups in NIRA DI
It's a big weekend in NIRA as we look at the ramifications in the Power Rankings and who might tighten their grip on a postseason spot.
We talk a bit about this in our article about the DI Power Rankings.
NIRA DI Power Rankings Released
Two games really light up, with Dartmouth at Sacred Heart in a game that will tell us a lot about how strong SHU is, and Harvard at an Army side that is improving every week.
For SHU, this has been an important few weeks as they started 2-0 in-conference.
NIRA DI Power Rankings Released
The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association Power Rankings are out.
The algorithm waits until Week 3 to get fired up because it needs data. So now that we have that data, the first of weekly Power Rankings have been released.
This system is used because not every team in NIRA plays every other team. As a result, you need a system to compare each team's schedule. Note also that Princeton, Mount St. Mary's, and LaSalle are not in the standings because they have declared for a 7s postseason. The teams in these Power Rankings are the DI teams that have declared for a 15s postseason.
Harvard, Army, Lindenwood Flex Muscles in NIRA
Harvard remains unbeaten in NIRA DI after an impressive showing over Brown.
After falling behind 3-0 the Crimson exploded for 33 straight points going into halftime, and cruised to a 47-8 win.
Tries from Courtney Taylor and freshman Madelyn Hubbell (her first ever for Harvard), were both converted by Ava Frerence.
Also in the first half A nice break from Amber Van Meines netted her five, and co-captain Charlotte Gilmour capped off a maul to make it 26-0 with another Ference conversion.
Just before halftime Brown was attacking but wing Lennox London added to her all-time-leading try total with an interception and long race to the tryline. Ference again converted and it was 33-3.
