Despite a topsy-turvey day around the rest of the college rugby playoffs, the top five teams in Women’s Division II checked off the first box on their “Make it to Nationals” to-do lists today with strong wins over their opening round regional opponents.

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#1 Vassar never even broke a sweat in their first game, scoring 52 unanswered points against MARC runners-up Towson to punch their ticket to the regional finals on Sunday. Towson finally got on the scoresheet with 13 minutes left in the game when All-American Kelly Greenleaf crossed the whitewash for the Tigers’ only points in the match. But Vassar couldn’t let that aggression stand, scoring a try four minutes later to make the final 57-5. Superstar scrumhalf Sophia Bailey did what she does best, scoring three tries for the Brewers and keeping the offense moving smoothly. Bailey’s teammate Jude Robinson also had a hattrick in the game, while Tate Wagner scored twice. Sarah Towne and Mette McKinney also got their names in the statbook with a try apiece.

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#2 Wisconsin Eau Claire were equally as dominant in their opening round win over Norwich, trouncing the Cadets 62-19 out in Springfield, MO. The Blugolds were led by the incomparable Olivia George, who repeated her performance on Friday Night Rugby earlier this year by scoring three tries and powering Eau Claire to victory. Caitlyn Skattebo channeled NY Giant, and former Arizona State standout running back, Cam Skattebo by powering across the line for two tries of her own – a feat that was matched by her teammate Maggie Kane. Calla Dexheimer and Autumn Noel also scored for the Blugolds while Alyssa Giola and Carlyan Vigbedor scored tries for Norwich.

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#3 Coast Guard took care of business out East in their game against #13 Marist, winning 44-31. Winger Jasmine Mendez was the standout player for the Coasties, scoring four tries in the contest, three of which came back-to-back-to-back and the final coming as Marist was looking to make a game of it late. Isabelle Fontana, Isabella Rivera, Avery Soca, and captain Kate Boggs also scored for Coast Guard who led by as much as 20 deep into the second half. Marist’s Allison Radcliffe had a great game as well, scoring three tries for the Red Foxes as they fought valiantly to keep the game close. 

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Coast Guard will now face off against #4 Fairfield, who prevailed over #6 Roger Williams in a heavyweight bout. Despite some pundits, such as this one, being foolish enough to pick against the Stags, Fairfield jumped out to an early 17-0 lead over the Hawks thanks to scores by Kiana O’Sullivan, Olivia Draper, and Katherine Robertson. Roger Williams came roaring back, however, and tied the game at 17 apiece thanks to two scores by Kaya Haddad and one by Chelsea Dombrowski. The Stags would have the final word in this one, though, with back-to-back scores by Molly Muller and Ava Hiel giving Fairfield the lead for good. A late score by Danielle Vogt was not enough to complete the comeback for Roger Williams as they fell 29-22.

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And finally, #5 Coastal Carolina secured their spot in the Regional final after surviving a scare from #10 William and Mary. The Tribe led 17-7 at the half after scores by Ava Kennedy, Elayna Hurley, and Olivia Hughes seemed to signal the end was nigh for the higher-ranked Chanticleers. But Coastal soon rediscovered their scoring prowess thanks to center Sierra Kramer. The junior from Poughkeepsie scored once to keep the game close in the first half and again in the second half to bring both teams even at 17. After Kennedy Raboin nailed the conversion to put Coastal up 19-17, Kramer’s teammates Michele Akinjobi and Cassandra Cirella took care of the rest, scoring back-to-back tries to put the game out of reach. Kennedy would score again for William and Mary but the Chanticleers ultimately came out on top 29-22, giving themselves a chance to take down #1 Vassar.

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If you weren’t a top-five team in the coaches poll, however, you did not have as good a day on Saturday. The rest of the contests ended in an upset – though some were more stark than others. #8 Texas San-Antonio, the Lonestar Conference champs, were rudely welcomed to Springfield, MO by an unranked Winona State, who beat the Roadrunners 41-19 behind some big carries by number 8 Katana Provost. The Black Katts never trailed in this game, jumping out to an early 19-0 lead thanks to two tries by Paige Smolik and one by Provost. Winona State’s reward is another shot at Wisconsin Eau-Claire, who beat them 34-15 earlier this season, in the Regional final.

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A tight contest between #11 Cincinnati and #12 Bowling Green ended in an upset with the Falcons winning 19-13 over the Bearcats. And there must have been something in the air in Obetz, OH as the other matchup in that bracket also ended in an upset with #9 Northwestern falling to an unranked SUNY Binghamton team 60-17. The She Devils are officially on a roll now and will be champing at the bit to take on Bowling Green on Sunday for a chance to punch their ticket to Houston.

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Tomorrow's matches will be be streamed live on NCR's YouTube channel. For more college rugby news, check out TheCollegeRugbyShow.com.

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