Roger Williams and IUPUI secure spots in Women’s DI

The Rugby Northeast tournament, held on April 9, was host to a diverse group of teams. Roger Williams University dominated pool play with a 4-0 record going into semifinals against Middlebury College. RWU held Middlebury to two tries, ending with a 31-10 victory. RWU went into the final against Bentley University with a 6-0 record, 110 points scored and no tries let in. RWU let in their first try of the tournament but clinched the title with a score of 22-7.

Also on April 9, the Ohio Valley Conference played its second and final week of qualifying tournament matches. In the first tournament, held on April 2, Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) dominated, scoring over 15 tries in four games.

In the second week, held this past Saturday, IUPUI continued its win streak, holding each of their opposing teams to only one try. IUPUI ended the series with a record of 7-0, earning them a spot at May Madness 7s in New Orleans.

“We started the season with one goal in mind: making it to nationals in our first competitive year as a club,” says IUPUI coach Dakota Nelson. “For us, that was going to practice with the mindset of getting better, each and every day.”

He added: “The team had intensity and played with heart. I am extremely proud of the way we played and hoping we can carry that momentum down to New Orleans.”

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