Charlotte, NC
Day two of the Fall College Championship weekend. The stage is set for four title matches; Men's D1-AA & D2, and Women's D1 & D2. A beautiful Charlotte winter sky graces the stadium complex with a brisk morning chill. The crowd begins to creep in, the field perfectly prepped, and undeniable energy sifts through the rugby grounds at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews.
Women’s D1 Championship Final:
Air Force vs Navy
For the first match of 'Title Day', aka the Championship day for all four divisions, we were graced with a very unique match with two of our nation's military academies facing off against one another. This special match has never happened on the women's level in all of collegiate rugby's history. With proud salutes and academy pride behind each one of the clubs, this was a fantastic start to the full day's festivities.
To open up the game, Navy used the strength kicking from their flyhalf, Abigail Ebersole, to advance ball, putting Air Force on the back foot. A strategy which seemed to pay off for the opening 10 minutes of the match. Navy's forward pack did a superb job in advancing off runner-ball, continuing to advance the ball deep into Air Force territory. Navy's #8, Sarah Skinner, pushed their backs further against their own tryline, earning a penalty, then spread ball out to backs, which was finished in the corner by #11, Haley Creech for the first points of the match. The Naval side held nearly 100% time of possession with 25+ phases, ensuring their confidence.
Air Force were slow to find rhythm early in the game, giving up multiple penalty infractions and turnover ball. Navy was able to keep their opponents out of tryzone with cohesive defense, while Air Force continued stubbing their own toes. After their hot start, Navy seemed to plateau a bit in their play, but Air Force were not able to hold on to more than 5 phases in first 20 minutes of match, ultimately helping their foes get out of tough jams. Navy continued to win the battle at the breakdown and gaining positive meters with every forward and backs run.
25 minutes into the game, Air Force's #11, Sarah Stinson, helped her team out of their offensive rut with a great individual effort putting herself within Navy 22 meter line for the first time of the half. Air Force dug deep, keeping possession within the forwards, and earning themselves their first try of the match by #9, and captain, Devin Doyle. Air Force now seemed to find their footing, and took control of the new momentum. Navy's Sarah Skinner continued to display her athletic prowess and rugby skills as she lead her team in big runs into opponent territory. This first half of this match proved to be a gritty one with quality play, and especially good defense from both sides. Air Force turnovers continued to let Navy keep majority of possession, but the Naval side were unable to take advantage of their opportunities. In the last minutes of the half, Air Force #8, Kaylee Eskeli, picked from their midfield scrum and ran deep into Navy territory, shipping to a forwards supporter ball soon after for another big gain to the Navy 5 meter line. But unfortunately an Air Force knock on at the attempt of the tryline ended the half.
Halftime Score: Navy 7 - Air Force 5
As the second half kicked off, turnovers and penalties continue for the Colorado Springs side. Once the Air Force squad finally retained possession, they used the boot of their #10, Rhiannon Townsend, to put Navy deep in their own territory, but in the end Navy survives the barrage. Sarah Skinner, putting the Navy team on her back, had yet another big run putting her team out of harm's reach. Navy seemed to regain the momentum, but Air Force captain and #9, Devin Doyle, came up with a crucial steal in the ruck, and then proceeded to take measures in her own hands for a 40 meter run in for the score. Air Force to take the lead for the first time in the match.
Despite the huge turnover margin in Navy’s favor, Air Force seems to pull out big time plays to help them out of non-ideal positional situations. Air Force, using their backline, darted into Navy territory, holding ball for 10+ phases. After working their offensive routine, a cheeky hesitation from flyhalf, Rhiannon Townsend, gives Air Force another unanswered try under the posts, taking a commanding lead. Feeling the shift in energy, Air Force now was the stakeholder in controlling possession and continuing to kick deep into the Navy half. Although momentum seemed to go against them, Navy stole the ball while they were pressured, and continued to march to the Air Force 5 meter line after wonderful ball movement. Navy's tighthead prop, Nicole August, saw the opening her team needed, and picked over the line for Navy’s second try of the match.
Navy continued to battle, never giving up hope, but Air Force kept their ground and accepted each challenge in driving their opponents back. Once they regained possession, Air Force #11, Sarah Stinson, found space on the outside, and drove ball to the Navy 5 meter, but taken out of bounds. With 10 minutes left in the game, Navy were down 16 points with their backs against the wall, continued to give their full effort with daunting runs. Those runs lead by #8 Sarah Skinner once again, but it would be too little too late as time ran down to all zeroes on the clock, ball kicked out, then Air Force bench and fans erupt in joy. Air Force comes out on top of their military rivals in D1 championship, but an incredibly quality and tough match was on display for all.
Final Score: Air Force 26 - Navy 10
Men's D1-AA Championship Final:
Iowa Central CC vs Western Michigan
The highly anticipated match with the D1-AA newcomers, Iowa Central, in the final would be a big talking point in leading up to the game. And to see what level of play they would bring against Western Michigan. A battle between the 22 meter lines had been the opening theme of the match with both clubs' big forwards and fast backs, with neither team letting up in ambitious intent. Iowa Central drew first blood, earning the first points of the match, with a 25 meter penalty kick by their captain Rhys Smith. After the Iowa side went up early, they would continue the first half as the clearly more powerful side.
Iowa Central gained big meters with the kicking prowess of their flyhalf, Hugo Minaar, pinning Western Michigan deep into their own territory. After a bit of unfortunate sloppy play, Iowa Central took over possession close to the tryline, and their blindside flanker, Dakota Southworth, setup his teammate and captain, Rhys Smith. Who ultimately finished the job under the posts to help his club go up 10 points early. The Iowa sides' backline passing was superb, but gave up untimely penalties to kill their momentum. Iowa's fullback, Viance Vano, lead his team down the field with shiftiness and darting movements for a 50 meter run down to Western's 5 meter line. Iowa Central picks and jams with their big pack, and earned the second try by the hands of their tighthead prop, Elijah Hayes.
Iowa Central's bench and sideline are incredibly vocal in helping their side identify situations and up-calls on defense, which staggers the Western Michigan attack and disallows them positive meters. Western Michigan seemed unable to run their attacking scheme due to lack of possession and turning ball over. The continued 2nd ditch efforts by the Iowa side kept ball alive, gaining much needed meters throughout the half, which lead to break the gainline often. Western Michigan battled back tough, inch by inch, but continued to concede penalties, ultimately killing their momentum for any scoring chances. Constant and relentless attack allows Iowa Central to skip multiple backline members, which the strategy paid off for their openside flanker, Alec Johnson, for the corner score, helping Iowa up 20 points to Western's none. The kicking game of Iowa Central had been one of their strengths of the first half, not allowing their opponents over their own 22 meter line more than twice in the opening 40 minutes.
Halftime Score: Iowa Central 20 - Western Michigan 0
After the opening second half whistle, Iowa Central started strong, earning a penalty kick 2 minutes into the second half which split the uprights. The strong Iowan side carved the Western Michigan defense often, and for big gains. Once Western Michigan started showing positive activity, the Iowa kicking game continued putting the pressure back on Western. Feeling said pressure, Western Michigan's outside center, Kyle Williams, stole the ball right out of his opponent's hands in a tackle, and sprinted back 40 meters for a brilliant individual effort, putting the first points on the board for his team, adding a successful conversion.
After finding their rhythm, eventually beating down Central's defense, Western earned a crucial turnover ball. Western Michigan's backline diligently worked their way down the field to pass to their scorching hot #13, Kyle William, once again taking the ball over the white line with 20 minutes left in the match. Penalties were the momentum changers for both sides in the second half, but more in Western Michigan's favor down the stretch. With Western on Iowa Central's heels, down 12 points with 12 minutes to go, Iowa Central earned a close penalty kick 10 meters out, captain, kicker and inside center, Rhys Smith, slotted it through the posts putting his team up 15 points.
Western Michigan, with the help of their very talented and fast fullback, Willem Stanley, ran the ball deep into enemy territory, ultimately earning a lineout after Central conceded a penalty. His side's forward pack took the lineout and mauled the ball into the tryzone, but was unfortunately held up for a 5 meter scrum. With time ticking down, Western Michigan attempted to drive over the line, but a penalty in favor of Iowa Central allowed them to quick tap and hand off to their reserve #17, Daniel Howard, bowling over the white line for his club's third try. Two ensuing missed penalty kicks by Central's Rhys Smith gave Western hope to amount a comeback, but Western Michigan couldn’t get out of their own 22 meter area, turning ball over, and conceding another late try to Iowa. This final action served as the defining score have Iowa Central Community College finish their initial D1-AA season as champions.
Final Score: Iowa Central CC 36 - Western Michigan 21
Women's D2 Championship Final:
Winona State vs Colorado School of Mines
Mines were off to a hot start of the match working their way to the Winona 5 meter line within minutes. Mines looked strong but needed to keep possession and momentum with this dangerous Winona Black Kattz side. Winona began to recenter the strategy and held onto more possession after the early Colorado push, fielding their way to the door of the tryline with multiple phases of pick and jams. Mines were steady in defense, but eventually allowed Winona's loosehead prop, Makayla Leraas, to find the open space in the line and swan dove over for the first score of the match.
After some back and forth play between the 22 meter lines, Colorado's kick game allowed them to advance and retain ball for over 10 phases, which ultimately earned themselves solid field position. It wouldn't be long for Mines' to strike back with their own prop, Erin Visak, who plowed through the Winona goal line stance, giving her team their score of the game. For the remainder of the match, the common theme of back and forth play between the two sides, as each team answered back to their opponents. Winona & Mines were both quick in ball movement, which continued to gain territory deep into each other's halves. Winona would regain back possession to then quickly advance ball through their forwards, having their loosehead prop, Makayla Leraas, put the cherry on top of her team's hard work for the score.
Winona's captain and inside center, Emily Becker, would open up the lovely chip and chase kicking game for her club, which was often gathered in by her own team advancing into Colorados' half. With the onslaught of chip kicks from Becker, Mines began to hold their own, with backs against their tryline. After many minutes, phases and turnovers, both teams seemed to be at a stalemate in attempting to put themselves into prime scoring positions. This was a common theme until Winona crashed the ball deep into Mines half and gained a restart penalty. Capitalizing quickly, Winona's outside center, Abigail Andler, took matters into her own hands and charged over the white line to put her squad up with a bigger margin just before the half.
Halftime Score: Winona State 19 - Colorado Mines 5
After the halftime break, the back and forth offensive match continued to carve up both defenses, with both clubs consistently showing why they deserved to be in the final. Bruising, punishing runs and hits would weaken the defensive front with each passing minute. In lieu of breaking down and tiring out their forward defenses, both backlines gained massive meters, while the forwards ultimately finished the job, with picking and jamming within the 10 meter lines.
Winona broke free of the 'ping-pong' match by continuing to pressure Mines with the active boot of Emily Becker's in-play kicking. Pinning Mines against the wall multiple times, her team followed up with aggressive defensive attack. Mines fought back valiantly, keeping their hopes alive with tough running and determined play. Unfortunately, untimely turnovers and penalties continued to plague the Colorado side, disallowing themselves to advance the ball effectively.
Winona's Emily Becker would continue put Mines in pressure with her kicking. They wouldn't gain positive meters until Colorado pooched a grubber past the Winona defense, to enter their opponent's half for only the 3rd time in the second half. Even though time and scoring chances were not in Colorado's favor, their team’s body language said otherwise, by remaining confident of the potential opportunities. When Mines did have chances with ball into Winona territory, they unfortunately knocked on or turned ball over, limiting their chances down 14 points with 15 minutes left in game. The last 30 minutes of the match were scoreless due to Winona's strategic kicking game, until Colorado's fullback, Michaela Adams, brought the ball across the white line for the score. But the last ditch effort would prove to be too little and too late as Winona State celebrates their championship win after the missed conversion by Mines.
Final Score: Winona State 19 - Colorado School of Mines 10
Men's D2 National Championship Final
Queens University vs University Wisconsin-Whitewater
The final match of the championship weekend would be the hometown team, Queens University vs perennial D2 powerhouse, University Wisconsin-Whitewater for a highly anticipated match. To open up the game, both sides seemed to give and take blow for blow in the opening 7 minutes with dynamic play between the 22 meter lines. On display would be Queens flyhalf's, Thomas Keay, monstrous kicking ability helping his team stay out of their half. Queens backline continued to put in the work gaining territory, with their forwards cleaning up around the hinges. The class kicking game of Queens lead to Whitewater leaving holes in their defensive structure. This aspect allowed the Charlotte side to take advantage of the opportunities, specially by their #8 Dominic Tianga, scoring a breakout try in the 7th minute.
Whitewater understood their opponents strength and began blocking Queens kicks, attempting to keep the play alive within the hopes of amounting points. After the first try, it seemed to be a very even match, with huge hits, crunching tackles, and speedy breaks encapsulating the efforts of both sides. After Queens would kick, the Wisconsin-Whitewater forwards would clean up play and earn back crucial possession and meters with their incredibly strong and big pack. After some back and forth play, Queens #8, Dominic Tianga, would again break through the line for another outstanding run for the score, and his second try, after his team worked their defensive magic to regain ball.
The brute UW forward pack, would begin to take possession for their team by stealing ball then spinning through the pack. Unfortunately during this forward rampage for Whitewater, in 20th minute of the game, Queens wing #11, Rylee Ellsworth suffered an absolutely horrific leg injury by attempting to tackle one of Whitewater's forwards. What looked to be an ankle/leg dislocation and sure break, would be soon carried off via stretcher and leaving the field by ambulance in front of a quiet and stunned crowd. After many minutes, play resumed, and Queens took it upon themselves to increase their intensity and motivation for their fallen teammate. Within few phases, driving deep into UW territory, Queens #8, Dominic Tianga pulled magic out of his sleeve once again, and brought it over the line for his, and his team's, third try of the match. Dominic's hat trick performance in the first half would amount 15 of his team’s initial 19 points. After this score, the crowd could tell Queens were playing for their injured teammate, and would ultimately not let up for the remainder of the match.
Queens defense would continue to swarm Whitewater's backline strength and shut down their captain and outside center, Levi van Lanen. Whitewater finally entered Queens half and broke the 22 meter line, attempting to pick and jam, with no avail. In Whitewater's attempts, they received a penalty and choose to quick tap in hopes of scoring a try. Unfortunately this effort would ultimately lead to a knock on, leaving their chances slim at a needed scoring attempt. Earning the ball back, Queens diligently worked their way down the field due to the kicking game of their stellar flyhalf, Thomas Keay. With determined forward ball movement and hard earned meters, all was brought together by their openside flanker, Benjie Hund, for the team’s fourth try, totaling his teams points to 26. Whitewater continued to struggle getting out of their own half, turning the ball over to Queens often. The quick action on the opportunities, Queens spun the ball through the backline and into the hands of their flyhalf, Keay, for the corner score just before the break.
Halftime Score: Queens University 31 - University Wisconsin-Whitewater 0
The remainder of the match would be an almost identical copy of the first half, with an immediate scoring try by Queens directly after the kickoff. Queens' outside center, Zion Thomas, decided to have a run for himself and flashed through the unprepared UW defense, going for a 75 meter score bouncing and weaving around defenders. Whitewater eventually found their way over the midfield mark, something seldom done in the game overall, and earned a penalty which they elected for points. After the successful kick through the uprights, Whitewater began to rally the troops in hopes of amounting a comeback.
Play relatively plateaued as neither team scored for the next 10 minutes in the 3rd quarter of the match. Playing mostly between the 22 meter lines, Queens made a break after a UW clearance kick, which did not find touch, and were hungry for another try. Dynamic forward play, mixed with cheeky backline ball movement, lead Queens to score once again just left of the posts. After the restart kick by Whitewater, which did not go 10 meters, Queens elected to take the scrum at mid field. After the put-in, they worked their way to their flyhalf, Keay, who made multiple defenders miss on attempted tackles, whipping the ball wide to his supporting inside center, Stanford Johnson, who made the finishing touches for yet another Queens try.
Now up 45 points, and within 2 minutes of their previous try, Queens received the ensuing kickoff, kicked back to UW, who then attempted to pass through to their fullback. This play was keenly read and intercepted beautifully by the pursuing lock, Devon McCarthy, who jogged into the tryzone after a 40 meter run. The barrage of Queens did not stop as both squads' subs rolled in, as did the points for the hometown side. Super-sub #22, Doyle Hedgepeth, took off for a 40 meter run who then offloaded it perfectly to his supporting teammate, and fellow super-sub #17, Raitavius Whitner, taking off for the left corner score.
Whitewater ended up pulling together a string of quality plays with 10 minutes left in the match, powering through with their forwards. This effort eventually lead their way to a team effort try under the posts, and first and only try of the match. Queens tacked on a couple more tries, by their fullback, Carson Green, and openside flanker, Benjie Hund. In identical fashion both tries were scored with quick turnaround ball from a restart, kicked forward, recovered possession, multiple forward phase play, then out to supporting members. As the hometown crowd erupted as the final whistle blew, many tears of joy ensued as the teams lined up to receive their D2 National Champsionship trophy. To top off the win, as the medals were handed out, the load speaker announced Queens flyhalf, Thomas Keay, would be leaving the field with more hardware, as the tournament's MVP.
Final Score: Queens University 74 - University Wisconsin-Whitewater 8
