Independent | Goff Rugby Report

In US collegiate rugby, Independent teams are programs that compete outside the structure of a formal conference or league. These teams schedule their own matches, often facing opponents from multiple regions or divisions, allowing for greater flexibility but requiring more logistical coordination. Independence can result from geographic isolation, emerging program status, or a strategic choice to maintain control over scheduling and competition level.

These teams might compete in different divisions and either through College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) or National Collegiate Rugby (NCR). With an independent schedule, each game is hugely important in making a team's case for a national-level postseason berth.

Division: Men's D1A
Division: Men's D1AA
Division: Men's NCR D1
Division: Women's D1

Loyola NOLA vs LSU 2026.

09.17.2026College Men

Loyola New Orleans Opens Account With Impressive Victory

A big win for Loyola of New Orleans over the weekend marks a new era in the program.

LSU is no pushover, but with Loyola being a new school-support program, they are able to get up to speed early in this, the Wolfpack's first ever season.

Drury hung in there against Arkansas. Photo Natalie Whipple.

09.07.2026College Men

What Happened When NCR D1 Teams Played D1AA Opponents?

Six games this past weekend saw NCR D1 teams take on D1AA opponents and, really, it went as you'd expect.

Grand Canyon is enjoying a solid season in 2026. J. Dalton Photography.

02.22.2026College Men

GCU Impressive in Victory Over Utah

Grand Canyon University rebounded from a lopsided loss to Cal earlier this week with an impressive 55-5 defeat of Utah Saturday.

Dan Hanson played two season at Anthem.

02.04.2026College Men

Dan Hanson Signs On as Head Coach at Trine

Trine University has hired Dan Hanson as the new Head Coach for the program.

Arizona vs St. Thomas January 2026. Photo Josh Pearson.

02.04.2026College Men

Arizona Rebound vs St. Thomas Shows Something

Perhaps the most compelling game in D1A this past weekend was St. Thomas at Arizona.
The stage was set for an interesting one, and we got it.

Subscribe to Independent

Photo Galleries

Action from the 2026 Friendship Cup. Photo Alex Goff.

10.06.2026Friendship Cup Returns for 2027

Navy vs Army 2026 Photo David Hughes.

09.26.2026Navy Holds Off Tenacious Army

CRAA U19s at the 2026 RAN Championships. Photo @gabryedsphoto

08.23.2026Sean Duffy Looks Back at RAN U19s

USA U20s vs South Africa U20s. Photo Charmaine Sander for Stellenbosch/Rugby South Africa.

08.03.2026Why the U20 Women's Tour is a Sign for the Future

USA U18s training during their 2026 tour of South America. Photo Gonzalo Muinelo. @GonMuinelo.

07.30.2026U18 Boys Return with Lessons, and Points of Pride

USA U18s vs Brazil age-grade team. Photo Dan Caple.

07.15.2026USA U18s Handle Obstacles, Surprises to Beat Brazil Age-Graders

MSM Academy Tournament Atlantis Midwest or Ohio Aviators. Photos Alex Goff.

06.29.2026Day 2 Improvement Highlights Mount St. Mary's Academy Tournament

bu19 final gnc 25 8664

06.09.2026Expanded Great Northwest Challenge set for Montana This Weekend

Harlequins vs EPA NorCal Final 2026. Photo Alex Goff.

05.11.2026Harlequins Impressive in NorCal Girls Win

USA vs New Zealand in Sacramento. Photo David Barpal.

04.12.2026Eagles Plucky in First Half as New-Look Team Falls to NZ

Action from the 2026 Friendship Cup. Photo Alex Goff.

03.30.2026Cardinals Excel at Friendship Cup, But Others Show Well Also

Lineout defense by Gonzaga. Photo William Seetch.

03.22.2026St. Ignatius Holds Off Gonzaga in DC

USA in the 2026 USA 7s in New York. Photo David Hughes.

03.15.2026Podium Claimed in USA's Most Consistent Performance Yet

Syracuse University-Leinster School of Excellent rugby camps

02.12.2026Syracuse University-Leinster School of Excellence Camps Keep Growing For 2026

hsnc 2025 winners griff hastings 9206

02.06.2026Applications for Boys HS Nationals Close Soon. Time to Act!

ran u19 2025 final 8

01.20.2026Balancing Urgency and Patience in Age-Grade National Teams

Charlotte Catholic vs Cathedral Catholic January 2026. Photo Dan Caple.

01.19.2026HS Action Around the USA

Dom Besag vs Arizona 2026. Photo Rebecca Harper.

01.17.2026Dom Besag

Saint Mary's vs Grand Canyon Jan 10 2026. Photo J. Dalton Photography.

01.11.2026Long Day Of Rugby But Gaels Leave Arizona Winners

SOC Raptors vs New Trier in the 2025 Boys Tier 2 Final. Photo Griff Hastings.

12.28.2025Boys HS National Championships Applications: Keep an Eye Open

St. Ignatius vs Herriman in the 2025 Boys Single-School final. Photo Griff Hastings.

12.27.2025Boys School-Team Rankings 2026 Week 1

spencer huntley

12.23.2025Spencer Huntley

Hope Rogers is mobbed by her teammates after scoring the game-winner vs Australia in 2024. Photo World Rugby.

12.22.2025Hope Rogers

Siano & 1988 Hong Kong Plate Champions

12.22.2025Michael Siano

Aaron Cummings. David Barpal photo.

12.18.2025USA Men's 7s Play Pool Set for 2026

2025 Rugby World Cup Anthem Time. Photo George Wood World Rugby via Getty Images.

12.17.2025Q&A With Hope Rogers: The Past, the Future, and the Eagles

stanford vs cal 2025 wd1 final ph peyton pollock 7543

12.16.2025CRAA and USA Rugby Confirm Women's 7s Championship for April in Indianapolis

Zach Szepiela for Bowling Green with his OT try. Roger Mazzarella photo.

12.06.2025NCR D1AA Semis: Bowling Green Needs OT, Tennessee Rolls

Tennessee vs Sam Houston State. Photos Will Fagan.

12.05.2025Something New and Something Classic in NCR D1AA Semis

Mount St. Mary's maul. Photo Calder Cahill.

12.01.2025CRAA Classic Offers Impressive Showdowns in South Carolina

USA Military vs British Army, Nov 11, 2025. Photo Alex Goff.

11.24.2025RMA Podcast: Why Rugby Has Value for Veterans

Kentucky vs Texas A&M 2025 Playoffs Ph Will Fagan

11.22.2025D1AA Quarterfinals: Changing of the Guard

Villanova Flyhalf Nathan Caruso vs. UMBC

11.18.2025Nathan Caruso

Mary Washington vs Ohio State Nov 15, 2025. Photo David Hughes.

11.17.2025Mary Washington Edges Ohio State in Solid Outing for Two Changed Teams

2025 University of Maine - Orono

11.13.2025University of Maine - Orono Men

USA Military vs British Army, Nov 11, 2025. Photo Alex Goff.

11.11.2025A Heroic Battle in the Mud as USA Military Takes on British Army

US Military 2025

11.07.2025Gameday Is Here for Military Team, But There's More To It Than That

Tennessee vs LSU November 1, 2025. Photo Will Fagan.

11.02.2025Thriller Semi Helps Decide Who Makes the SCRC Final

25-21 win over Dartmouth

11.01.2025Brown University Men

Tonga Kofe for the Utah Warriors. Photo Utah Warriors.

10.27.2025Warriors, Eagles, and Now Tigers, Too. The Tonga Kofe Journey

aru official 20241108 rugbyunion cg192

10.27.2025US Military Team Roster Announced for UK Tour

Rugby Ohio Boys 7s 2025. Photo Alex Goff.

10.26.2025Ignatius Saves Best for Last in Ohio 7s

2025 Rugby Ohio Girls Finals. Photo Alex Goff.

10.26.2025West Pitt Takes Rugby Ohio Girls 7s

Army vs Mount St. Mary's October 25, 2025. Photo David Hughes.

10.25.2025Gamboa Sparks Key Army Win in Rugby East

U. Chicago vs Northwestern from October 18, 2025.

10.22.2025U. Chicago Squeezes Success into Tight Window

UMass Men Fall 2025

10.22.2025University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) Men

Lindenwood vs Dartmouth. NIRA 2025.

10.21.2025Close Win for Lindenwood at NIRA Enters Crucial Weeks

usa v australia womens rugby world cup 2025 pool a 2 photo by george wood world rugbyworld rugby via getty images

10.20.2025Eagle Women's Coaching Decision a Crucial Decision This Fall

Iona vs Siena 2025. Alex Goff photo.

10.19.2025Iona Shocks Siena in Liberty Nailbiter

bu19 final gnc 25 8651

10.13.2025Great Northwest Challenge Returns for 2026

Spotlight

Dom Besag

Position: Center

Team:Saint Mary's Men

De La Salle HS

Saint Mary's (Rudy Scholz Finalist)

USA U20s (Captain)

USA Men's National 15s Team (Debut vs Georgia 2023 at age 20)

Dom Besag vs Arizona 2026. Photo Rebecca Harper.

Spencer Huntley

Position: Scrum Half

Team:Cathedral Catholic Boys

As a 17-year-old Spencer Huntley required a waiver to play for the USA U20s, an indication of how he was rated in the USA age-grade pathway. He got that waiver and impressed for the USA U20s, and then moved up to the USA U23s. He led the San Diego Mustangs to a national HS Club championship in 2024.

He also played in the SoCal single-school league for Cathedral Catholic.

spencer huntley

Hope Rogers

Position: Loosehead Prop

Hope Rogers began playing rugby at age 16 in high school and continued to compete during her time at Penn State University. There, she won four National Championships, was crowned MVP on two occasions, was named to the USA Under-20s and earned Collegiate All-American honors for four years. Rogers was also an impressive discus player during her senior year in high school where she broke a school record and won Gold at Districts for the sport.

Hope Rogers is mobbed by her teammates after scoring the game-winner vs Australia in 2024. Photo World Rugby.

Michael Siano

Position: Wing Forward

Mike played for Life College, Philly-Whitemarsh and played for the USA National 7s and 15s teams in the 1980s and 1990s.

He was also part of the Atlantis touring side, playing 7s for the team in several around the world.

Siano & 1988 Hong Kong Plate Champions

Nathan Caruso

Position: Fly Half

Team:Villanova Univ Men

Nathan Caruso is a steady, smart fly half who drives Villanova’s attack with calm decision-making and a reliable skill set. He’s been central to Villanova’s success in the MARC, controlling tempo and keeping the team organized under pressure.

Villanova Flyhalf Nathan Caruso vs. UMBC

Tonga Kofe

Position: Prop

Team:Utah Warriors Men

Tonga Kofe is one of the most promising young front-rowers to come out of the American rugby pathway. A powerful and hard-working prop, he rose through the Utah Warriors development system.

Tonga Kofe for the Utah Warriors. Photo Utah Warriors.

Ray Santiago

Position: #8

Team:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Men

Ray Santiago has emerged as one of RPI’s most influential forwards, a player whose size, athleticism, and rapid development make him stand out in the Division II landscape.

ray santiago rpi 2023 rpi rugby 2

Christy Ringgenberg

Position: Fly Half

Christy Ringgenberg is one of the most accomplished and versatile players to wear the USA jersey, earning recognition on the Goff Rugby Report All-Time American list for her impact on both 15s and 7s.

christy ringgenberg us 1 v can 2 26 ian muir

Dakota Southworth

Position: Wing Forward

Team:Iowa Central Community College Men

dakota southworth 1