Final Four and Championship Weekend

by user BigPPup

This past weekend Stanford University hosted the Final Four and championship game for the Division I and Division II men’s and women’s college rugby national championships.  As always, this was a great weekend, showcasing the up and coming talent in the American rugby system.  When all the dust had settled, USA Rugby was ready to crown its national champions.

In Women’s Division II action the top half of the bracket there was a blowout game.   The Final Four kicked off with UC Santa Cruz facing off against Bowdoin.  Santa Cruz advanced to the championship game with a blowout 49-0 victory.  On the other half of the bracket Iowa State took on Norwich.  This was a highly contested game with Iowa State emerging victorious by 1 point.  Saturday’s championship had two talented teams in Iowa State and UC Santa Cruz.  In a solid outing, Iowa State was just too much for Santa Cruz and Iowa State emerged with the victory, and a Division II championship.

-- Women's Division II Champion: Iowa State University

In Division II Men’s action there was a grouping of traditional powerhouses, ready to do battle till the end.  The weekend began with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy facing off against Arkansas State. This would be the tightest game of the weekend. In the end, Arkansas State squeaked out a 25-24 win and advanced to the Championship.  The bottom half of the bracket had East Coast power Salisbury taking on Middlebury College.  Salisbury put up a good effort, but Middlebury College was simply too much as they cruised to a 49-14 win.  The Championship game featured Arkansas State University versus Middlebury College.  In a bit of a shocker, Middlebury College came out strong and took the victory 39-22 to take a National Championship.

-- Men's Division II National Champion: Middlebury College

Up a level the Division I Women’s final four saw some traditional powerhouses coming to the table.  In the opening game, Stanford College met UC Davis.  Stanford immediately imposed their will on this game working to a 45-10 victory.  In the bottom half of the bracket, Penn State, was not fazed by the cross country trip.  They took on the University of New Mexico and in typical fashion grinded their way to a dominating 27-3 victory.  The Championship game between Penn State and Stanford College would be tightly contested.  Penn State left the park with the 22-21 victory and a National Title to be proud of.

-- Women's Division I National Champion: Penn State University

As much as I would like to say that the Division I Men’s bracket was a great showing, but this would be all chalk.  The top half of the bracket featured topped ranked University of California and their 70 plus game winning streak and their two consecutive national titles. Cal met the U.S. Navel Academy.  While Navy is a powerhouse in East Coast rugby, but they were unable to do anything against the machine that is Cal Berkley.  Cal cruised to a 78-0 victory.  The bottom half of the bracket had Penn State versus BYU.  Penn State men’s club was hoping to duplicate the success of their women’s team, but they would fall short.  BYU dominated the entire game and advanced to the championship with a 53-12 victory.  The championship was a rematch featuring two powerhouses. Earlier this season Cal was able to dominate BYU in a regular season game.  This would be BYU’s chance for redemption.  However, they were unable to answer the call.  Cal Berkley has been on a mission since day one and this weekend, they were ready to answer destiny’s calling.  Cal ran their way to a 37-7 victory, and a third consecutive national title.

- -Men's Division I National Champion: University of California