CRAA Women's D1 Down to Four After Thrilling Friday

Cal vs GCU

Cal showcased a tenacious defense in holding Grand Canyon to just one try in a 17-8 victory. An early try put Cal up 5-0, and while the GCU backs responded to tie it up, Cal was the team that made their chances count.

A big run from prop Lupita Gonzalez set up a chance for wing Lorie Martinez. But it was co-captain May Lauritzen’s cutback run that sealed the deal at 17-8. 

GCU had possession and some territorial chances, but couldn’t make those final connections; Cal’s defense in their own red zone was exceptional.

Claremont Colleges vs Air Force

The book on the final game of the day was a team with a large amount of recent game time and a team with not a lot. The expectation was that Claremont Colleges, the team with more game time of late, would start more polished and that did seem to be the case.

The Foxes forwards rolled on over five minutes in. After that Claremont looked to play in the opposing end and pin Air Force back, which worked, for the most part.

Claremont looked to use their passing ability to unleash some pace on the outside, but Air Force’s defense was up to the task.

Finally, though, the dam broke. A missed tackle and flyhalf Alex Meecham charged through for the Foxes and was away for the try. But after that Air Force started to win the kicking battle a little bit. A smart quick lineout and a weaving run from hooker Tiffany Dang set up a chance for the forwards to finish it off, and that’s exactly what prop Darby Doyle did. Missoula product Noel Migliaccio converted and it was 10-7. 

Claremont responded getting down to the tryline and then sending it wide where Meecham set up wing Catie Cryan in the corner. As halftime approached Migliaccio sliced through and was almost over. Claremont was able to get out of it temporarily, but a powerful run from Air Force center Leyla Geha put her over under the posts. Migliaccio converted and the teams entered halftime with Claremont Colleges clinging to a slim 15-14 lead.

Air Force began the second half on the front foot and a snappy run from their fullback, Yominie Humphries, and the forwards worked their way closer before Doyle picked up and went over. Migliaccio handed the kicking tee to No. 8 Gracen Worley, who promptly smacked the ball over for a 21-15 Falcons lead.

Air Force built on that just a few minutes later when a deep pass to center Kayli Hilburn, who burst onto the ball and found a seam to break three tackles on her way to scoring.

Claremont needed to answer, and they did, with Meecham breaking through tackles and cutting back inside to score under the posts. It was double bad news as Air Force prop Skyllar Erikson was injured and had to leave the field. Prop Lindsey Manugian  converted for Claremont Colleges, and it was a whole new ballgame once more at 26-22.

The game clamped down after that, with neither team wanting to give up that game-changing score. Backed up against their tryline Claremont managed to get a holding-on penalty and tapped in side their own 22. Seemed like a strange option but Manugian cut right through the middle and charged 45 meters before she was hauled down. Manugian then ran through some more tackles before No. 8 Marissa Apy picked up and bashed through. The conversion was good, giving Claremont the lead, but moments later Air Force got into the Claremont half and a superb run from Migliaccio put her through. They missed the kick in front of the posts, however, and Air Force held just a four-point lead 31-27.

Claremont camped out in the Air Force half for several minutes after that, but a couple of crucial turnovers and a nifty quick tap and run from Migliaccio put Air Force clear. It was a tension-filled battle featuring Claremont trying to test Air Force wide and the Falcons making their tackles.

But then Foxes inside center and co-captain Laila Hannum tapped on a penalty and caught Air Force a bit scattered. She burst through from 60 meters and raced in under the posts. Manugian added the extras for a 34-31 lead for Claremont Colleges.

Air Force got a chance to answer after earning a penalty. However, their kick to touch didn’t make the sideline. Claremont kept possession and was able to run out the clock from there.

This was a very exciting and entertaining end to Quarterfinal Day. Both teams put it all out there, and while the West Coast ended up sweeping the games, the Falcons, especially, gave a very good accounting of themselves.