Four regional champions have been crowned, and the matchups for the Women’s DII national semifinals December 7 in Houston, TX are set. Back-to-back national champion Wisconsin Eau Claire’s title defense is still intact, as is top-ranked Vassar’s quest to unseat the Blugolds.
To advance to the final four, Coast Guard defeated Fairfield in Canton, MA, 17-15, Vassar bested William & Mary in Culpepper, VA, 49-7, Cincinnati topped Marquette in Obetz, OH, 27-15, and Wisconsin Eau Claire beat Grand Valley State in Kansas City, MO, 51-0.
In Kansas City, Eau Claire opened its playoff bid with an equally dominant display over Texas San Antonio, 69-15, Saturday. Inside center Kloee Chamberlain was a tough tackle for both the Roadrunners and Lakers, as was the hard-charging second row of Heidi Schmelzer and Kahlyn Geiger. GVSU won its opening-round game Saturday, coming back to beat Illinois, 32-22.
At nationals, the Bluegolds will draw Cincinnati. The Bearcats ran past in-state rival Bowling Green, 56-12, Saturday in Obetz, OH, to set up the quarterfinal with Marquette. The Golden Eagles won their opening round game Saturday, 34-19, over Syracuse.
In Culpepper, Vassar was truly dominant, scoring 12 tries and conceding just one. The first six came in the Brewers’ 36-5 win over New Hampshire Saturday. William & Mary defeated Kennesaw State by the exact same score to advance to Sunday.
Awaiting Vassar in the semifinals for the second-straight year is Coast Guard, the Brewers besting the Bears to reach the 2023 championship game.
Before knocking out Fairfield in the quarterfinals, Coast Guard was dominant in its 48-12 win over Delaware Saturday. The Bears raced out to a 31-0 lead before the Blue Hens got on the board. Fairfield outscored Rogers Williams two-tries-to-one on either side of halftime to make the quarterfinals.
