For Immediate Release
College Rugby
Poughkeepsie, NY
Fall 2018 USA Rugby National Championship Collegiate Men’s Division II
On Saturday the Tri-State Conference’s best men’s division II team this year, William Paterson University, faced a well drilled and disciplined University of North Carolina – Charlotte team. WPU traveled down the considerable distance to East Carolina University (ECU) on Friday and were without the services of some starters on account of injuries. The week before William Paterson had defeated Sacred Heart University to get to the Round of 16 but they did not have the firepower as matters transpired and UNC-C won 57-17.
However, Sunday was to prove the metal of the Pioneers as they faced SUNY-Geneseo. The first 40 minutes had both squads fight tooth and nail for possession and field position and William Paterson University would end the first half 17-12 up. Both teams would continue to compete ferociously in the second half and although SUNY-Geneseo went up 19-17 it was William Paterson University that came back strongly to outscore SUNY Geneseo and take the game 46-19.
William Paterson finish the Fall 12-1 and have done much to enhance the reputation of the Tri-State Conference.
USA Rugby Men’s Division II Sweet 16 and Elite 8 Weekend – November 2018
With three of last year’s semifinalists making their way back into this year’s playoffs the chances are it was going to be tough to see new faces advance through to the second weekend of the Fall series. However, only last year’s champions, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater were able to make it through.
Saturday was a wild day, with eight games taking place there was plenty of action across the competition. Games ranged from blowouts including North Carolina State seeing off SUNY-Geneseo, 76-24; Whitewater getting rid of Montana State, 54-26; and UNC-Charlotte moving by William Paterson, 57-17. Bethel College was able to put in a strong performance against Milwaukee, 37-17. North Dakota State, last year’s 4th placed finisher was knocked off comprehensively by newcomers Iowa Central Community College, 42-17. They were then followed by Norwich who fell to fellow newcomers Queens University, 29-26. Two of the most entertaining games of the day were Villanova winning, narrowly, in a high scoring affair, 47-43, over Marquette; and Vermont squeezing by the University of Virginia, 41-39. The stage was now set for a tense set of quarterfinals on Sunday.
After the displays that each team put on during their Round of 16 performances, the expectation was set for a series of high scoring tightly fought quarterfinals. This wasn’t the case. Only one out of the four lived up to the expectations; where Queens beat Villanova, 39-34. In the other three quarterfinals, it was all one way traffic. Iowa Central beat Vermont in a relatively low scoring affair, 25-7. North Carolina State beat UNC Charlotte, 37-14, and will now hope for some home state support on December 1-2 when they play in Charlotte. Whitewater sealed their place in semifinals with a masterful, 72-6, display over Bethel College.
Read more at https://www.usarugby.org/2018/11/teams-advance-through-to-fall-college-championship-weekend/?bsR0HqT71ytBX6bA.99