Eight teams enter the weekend in the hunt for a Women’s Division I national title, but only two will exit with championship dreams still intact, as the national quarterfinals kick off Friday, November 15 and the national semifinals Sunday at Fortress Obetz in Obetz, OH, and the CPKC Training Complex in Kansas City, MO.
Two-time defending national champion Michigan is 6-0 heading into Obetz, once again wearing the Big Ten conference crown. Awaiting the Wolverines in the quarterfinals is Northeastern, whose only loss this season was to Long Island University back in September. The Huskies were perfect in Rugby Northeast play, reeling off five-straight wins to claim the conference title, beating UConn convincingly, 39-15, in the final.
Awaiting the winner of Michigan versus Northeastern Sunday will be the victor between top-ranked Wheeling and Virginia. The Cardinals have been juggernauts in their inaugural season, racing out to a 9-0 start, including huge wins over Penn State, Walsh and St. Bonaventure, the latter of which clinched the Allegheny conference title. Virginia is also perfect this season, 6-0, albeit against less vaunted competition, beating Florida State and N.C. State handedly to claim the South Atlantic Rugby Conference crown.
Clashing in Kansas City on Friday are third-ranked Northern Iowa and No. 9 Colorado. The Panthers are Midwest Conference champs once again, posting a perfect 6-0 record this fall. The last two wins were hard earned, by two over reigning DII champion Wisconsin Eau Claire and by four over Minnesota to clinch the Midwest title. The Buffs are also undefeated this fall, running the table in the High Peaks to punch their ticket to the postseason.
Also meeting in the quarterfinals Friday in KC are No. 4 Southern Nazarene and Big Ten runner-up Purdue. The Crimson Storm were dominant in defending the Lone Star conference crown this fall, and they’re battle tested, having played some heavyweight friendlies, as well. The Boilermakers’ lone blemish is the loss to Michigan, and the win that ultimately scored them a trip to the quarterfinals was a 36-29 takedown of in-state rival Notre Dame back in October.
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