US Rugby Foundation Announces Scholarship Recipients
The US Rugby Foundation is thrilled to announce our 19 exceptional student-athletes selected for collegiate scholarships in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Each recipient will receive a minimum of $1,000 in financial support for educational expenses including tuition, materials, and academic fees.
By investing in these promising young athletes, the US Rugby Foundation continues its mission to foster the growth of rugby while supporting educational advancement. We invite our entire rugby community to join us in celebrating these remarkable individuals as they pursue excellence in both their studies and athletic endeavors.
MA Sorensen Award Finalists Named
The finalists for the MA Sorensen Award have been named.
These players will be voted on by the MA Sorensen Award Committee to pick the winner.
The MA Sorensen Award is officially presented at a gala event at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, Wash. June 7. This will be the 10th awarding of the Sorensen.
Here are the finalists:
CRC Men and Women Bracket Predictions
The CRC runs competitions for 144 teams this coming weekend.
We already looked at the Men’s Premier, which is the largest bracket with 32 teams. Every other bracket has 16 teams—seven brackets, 112 teams. It’s massively ambitious and it’s pretty impressive to run a tournament of that size (there are a few that do this, and one or two are bigger, but it’s still pretty big).
CRC Men's Premier Preview and Predictions
Let’s have a look at each bracket.
Stanford Wins Second CRAA Title in a Row
Stanford beat Cal in impressive fashion Saturday to win the CRAA Women's D1 title, but it wasn't all Cardinal, as the Bears showed that, yes, they can play rugby too.
Cal came out determined to hit Stanford hard and pressure them into mistakes.
It was a good plan, but when they were a bit over-eager, the Bears drifted offside. Such a drifting led to a quick tap from Stanford scrumhalf Emma Cruz saw her feed Laura Bocek. The flyhalf caught and passed in one smooth movement, taking a hit at the same time, and Journey Washingtonhigh was free to run into the corner.
Another Women D1A Final Thriller as Lindenwood Edges Life
Lindenwood regained the women's D1A title they lost last year, taking what was, once again, a tight final against Life 19-15.
This was the seventh straight D1A final between these two teams. Played at Stanford University, it may be the last as Lindenwood is now an NCAA varsity team and is expected to play a NIRA schedule next year.
Defending MA Sorensen Award-winner and a finalist again this year, Freda Tafuna, scored two tries for the Lions and was a defensive force all day, leading Lindenwood to the win.
"We are so proud of the team for everything they put into this year," said Lindenwood Head Coach Trevor Locke. "They work so incredibly hard and to see them continually pick each other up in hard times is a true pleasure. Our staff couldn't be more thankful for to coach such a solid group of young women."
Central Washington Discontinues Rugby as a Varsity Sport
Three days after their rugby teams lost in the playoffs, Central Washington University has decided to discontinue varsity support for its two rugby programs.
Both the Men's and Women's rugby teams were varsity level. Both had enjoyed very good seasons this year. However, the decision had little to do with performance on the field and much, much more to do with financial issues.
In a letter to faculty and staff sign by both Dennis Francois, CWU's Director of Athletics, and University President A. James Wohlpart, the University said:
Life and Lindenwood To Meet Again in the Women's D1A Final
It was a tale of two very different semifinals in women's D1A this past weekend.
Lindenwood defeated Central Washington 29-5 in a demonstration of what it takes to break tackles.
CWU was very good on the day and made Lindenwood work for it, but ultimately the Lions, led by Freda Tafuna but not only her … but a back row that included He’Lena Dou’Ble and Irie Farley and in general an imposing pack, all won the day.
CWU started the game on the front foot, but once Lindenwood got out of their end they were able to exploit a couple of Wildcat penalties to run a nifty penalty move that saw them crash through the defense to open the scoring.
Women D1A Semifinals-Same Favorites or Poised for Upsets?
It's semifinal time in Women's D1A Rugby.
After years of being called D1 Elite, this competition has now been official renamed D1A Women, or WD1A. These four members play each other for the seedings and then we get the semifinal and final. Every final since 2018 has included Life and Lindenwood and, it seems, we could well see that again. Those two teams have split their two matches against each other, while they have beaten the other teams.
But ... you've got to play the game. Here's a look at the two semifinals this weekend.
CWU at Lindenwood
Lindenwood hosts Central Washington in a game that promises plenty of action.
Stanford, Cal On to CRAA WD1 Final
Stanford and Cal will play for the CRAA Women's D1 collegiate championship after both teams won semifinals Sunday.
Stanford vs WWU
Stanford beat Western Washington 42-10. The teams played to a scoreless tie in the first 13 minutes, and it wasn't until a somewhat unlucky obstruction call against WWU as they were running out of their 22. Stanford tapped and sent the ball to flanker Sydney Davis, who was over just as the referee whistled for a forward pass. So, still 0-0, and it stays that way into the second portion of the first half. Finally Stanford was able to score. Holding a slim 5-0 lead, Stanford had trouble completing their connections, with missed passes and knock-ons seemingly showing some nerves.
CRAA Women's D1 Down to Four After Thrilling Friday
Stanford, Western Washington, Cal, andClaremont Colleges all advanced to Sunday’s CRAA Women’s D1 semifinals with victories Friday in what was a very entertaining day of rugby.
Stanford vs Arizona
Stanford won big, 70-12 over Arizona, but the game was much closer for the first half. Arizona defended with bravery and challenged Stanford with ball-in-hand. However, Stanford’s overall pace and their ability to punish turnovers told the tale.
Stanford took a while to get on the scoreboard, but eventually a turnover created by flanker Sydney Davis—who was very active—allowed her to set up flyhalf Laura Bocek who zipped in for the try.
Arizona responded almost immediately, swarming in to pounce on a Stanford miscue and then good hands down the line for fullback Lila Ortega to finish it off.
CRAA D1 Women Playoffs Enter Key Weekend
This is a huge weekend in women’s D1 rugby as the eight teams make the playoffs.
As much as everyone likes to avoid two-game weekend, this will be … a two-game weekend. Friday will be the quarterfinals and Sunday will see the semifinals—everything held in Tempe, Ariz.
What this does is cut down on travel, especially with three Arizona teams in the playoffs. The final will be held April 19 at Stanford, along with the D1A women’s final.
College Sevens Update: ICCC Keeps Going
Iowa Central CC beat Wheeling 21-17 to win the Fighting Irish Invitational 7s at Notre Dame this weekend.
Both teams had to work their way through some tough competition. Wheeling beat Adrian, Marian, and Kutztown to make the final, while Iowa CCC worked their way through Michigan, Notre Dame, and Indiana. Almost all the games were very close. Kutztown beat Indiana to take 3rd, while Walsh beat Notre Dame 22-10 for 5th.
Takudzwa Musingwini was named player of the tournament.
Louisville beat Illinois in the D1 Club bracket.
This was an automatic CRC qualifier for both divisions, but Iowa CCC has already secured a place at the NCR championship tournament April 29.
Dramatic Finish in Women's D1A Clash as Lindenwood Edges Life
Just to shake things up, Lindenwood pulled off a road victory over Life University in Women's D1A action.
The D1A semifinals loom and it looks as though Life will be the #1 seed regardless, but the result was still important as both teams target another meeting in the Women's D1A (formerly D1 Elite) final.
The game itself was played at a level of pace and physicality that was extremely high. Life started the game working through phases and testing the Lindenwood defense. A thundering hit at midfield turned the ball over for Lindenwood and Freda Tafuna nabbed the ball and took off for about 58 meters. Two Life players just barely slowed her down, and of course Amy Brice was there in support to get Tafuna's pass and score.
Nominations for MA Sorensen Award Named
Sixteen women collegiate rugby players have been nominated for the 2024-25 MA Sorensen Award.
This is the 10th year of the Sorensen Award, given annually to the top women's collegiate rugby player in the USA. The Award is presented by the Washington Athletic Club of Seattle, Wash., at a gala event in June, although the awardee is named before then.
Of the nine previous award-winners, all but the one non-American have been capped at either 7s or 15s.
Past Sorensen Award Winners
RMA: The NCR Lawsuit and that One Pesky Word
Alex Goff has a look at the NCR lawsuit against USA Rugby in this RuggaMatrix America podcast.
The podcast is video but works if you're just listening to it, as well.
There's one key word in there that might make a big difference.
