This weekend, many of the country’s top teams will be competing in the USA Rugby Women’s DI College Fall Championship, hosted by ACRA. The Round of 16 kicks off Saturday and will culminate in a Dec. 7 final. The fall champion will advance to the title match on May 9 and play the winner of the Spring Championship, which begins in April. The team to beat - in the fall and spring - is Penn State, and Kent State is the first side to take a swing at the three-time consecutive champion (eight overall).

PSU played some closer than normal games (Norwich and Notre Dame College), but the Kate Daley-coached team left no doubt that it’s as strong as ever. Veterans like Eagle fullback Meya Bizer, Elizabeth Cairns and Corey Meanix – among so many others – are leading the way. Additionally, Eagle prop Hope Rogers, who had taken some time off after the World Cup, recently CIPPed with the team, so she might make an appearance during playoffs. Meanwhile, youngsters like junior Olympian Tess Feury, and Junior All Americans Kyla Chipman, Gabby Cantorna and Katie Mueller have been knock-out in their early career with the dynasty.

“We have been lucky to have some great freshmen and new players come into the program this fall,” Daley said. “While they might not be on the field this weekend, the depth for the future is exciting and constantly challenges our more experienced players to step up their game.”

But those are all players who show prominently in the box score. Head coach Daley took some time to recognize those who help set up Penn State’s big scorelines: inside center Lauren Shissler, lock Taylah Pipkin and front row Andrea Villanova.

“Lauren is a great defensive center, who continually leads the defensive launch, creating positive tackles, and probably creates the most turnover ball,” Daley said. “And she is an excellent playmaker at center allowing us to have a wider attacking structure.

“Taylah has the work rate of a backrow, is constantly the first supporter when breaks are made, and does a lot of positive work in offensive and defensive breakdowns,” Daley added. “We are lucky to have two fit and dynamic second rows with Taylah and Katie Mueller.

“Andrea does great work creating go forward ball as a ballcarrier and clean secure rucks as an offensive supporter. She is also a great defensive presence for us around the fringe.”

It’s safe to say that Kent State is the underdog in this Round of 16 match-up – then again, everyone is an underdog to Penn State. KSU enters the post-season with an undefeated league record and second consecutive Mid-America Conference (MAC) championship, but showed some vulnerability outside of its league. Arguably the most telling game of the Golden Flashes’ season was the gritty 12-10 win over Grand Valley State.

“The team has come a long way since 2013,” Kent State coach Jeff Horton said. “Though the club won the MAC, the team played more along the lines of a group of individuals, rather than one solid unit. Our main focus point this season was to embrace the team concept – developing solid team chemistry, never settling for complacency, and utilizing our strengths to develop our weaknesses.”

Nineteen of the team’s current 32 players were present during Kent State’s first title run, and of the 13 newcomers, five have played rugby previously. The team is led by junior flyhalf Sarah Giachetti, a St. Joseph’s Academy (Cleveland) alum, who was chosen as captain within her first year with the team. She’s a great manager of the game, accountable for the team’s performance and eager to dole out praise when it’s due.

Senior hooker Jocelynn Alexander is the voice in the forwards, and she is the epitome of “tough.” Aggressive and well respected, Alexander commands the pack with authority.

When it comes to scoring points – both tries and kicks – Kent State looks toward Miranda “Tank” Badamo, a Parma High School alum. The sophomore outside center is difficult to bring down, but she avoids contact well as a nimble ballcarrier with great handing skills.

Shannon Hustosky is the most prominent newcomer on the squad. Having never touched a rugby ball before fall 2014, the junior has found a home at No. 8 and is great in contact. She’s evasive on offense and sure in the tackle.

“It always seems as when our backs are against the wall, Shannon will break through with either a big run or a huge hit,” Horton said. “Much like Jocelynn, Shannon is extremely humble when talking to others about her rugby experiences.”

The Ohio team is aware of the challenge that lies ahead, but Kent State isn’t simply heading into Saturday’s match with moxie; the team’s done its homework.

“We play an explosive style of rugby that, if executed properly, should slow down the Penn State offense,” Horton said. “We are looking to set the tempo early and have Penn State adapt to our style of play. One aspect that we have noticed is how efficient Penn State is at making teams adjust to their style of play. If we can catch them off-balance, I believe this will be an extremely competitive match. That being said, we know that we are going to have to bring our A+ game on Saturday and maximize on the rare mistakes made by Penn State.”

The pair will meet at Notre Dame College, site of DI and DII Midwest region playoffs. The victor will play the winner of Ohio State vs. Lindenwood on Sunday, Nov. 16. For the entire DI brackets, click here.