While there are only four teams in the Women's D1 Elite, you've got to start somewhere, and the intensity of the competition between the top college teams outside of NIRA can't be denied.

The first clash between the D1 Elite teams came this past weekend, as Life University broke open a 7-7 halftime tie to beat Penn State 28-12. This was a somewhat shortened game, and not a conference game, but it was a significant result for Life as they also logged wins over the USA Rugby South All-Stars and the Capital Selects.

"We want those competitive games," said Life Head Coach Rosalind Chou. "Penn State is such a good team and they are so strong in breakdown."

At halftime, Chou moved a couple of players around, and the Running Eagles used their defense to force Penn State to kick. That worked in Life's favor.

"We are a fast team, and we've good on the counter," Chou said. Saher Hamden, Spiff Sedrick, and Susan Adegoke scored second-half tries to pull away.

Jess Keating was a perfect 12-for-12 on conversions in those three games over the weekend.

Next up for Life is Centra Florida, then the Austin Valkyries, University of Alabama, Atlanta Harlequins, Kennesaw State, and Raleigh Venom.

Penn State Head Coach Kate Daley said that her team has shown growth.

"I was very impressed with the squad's ability to make adjustments between the first and second game on Saturday," Daley said. "Our players' attitudes and adaptability really pushed our more inexperienced players to come into the second game with a clearer game plan and mindset."

Penn State has just one game left on their schedule, April 4 against the Philadelphia women's club.

This coming weekend, the other two D1 Elite teams meet up with Central Washington visiting Lindenwood. CWU has only played two games in the fall and one in January. After that there are games against Eastern Washington, ORSU, and BYU. 

Lindenwood has two sevens tournaments (including the LA Invitational), before playing WPL teams Berkeley and Chicago North Shore as well as Palmer College.

After all of that, they all finally come together. On April 11 at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., the teams play their semis. Two weeks after that the D1 Elite final will be in Obetz, Ohio. Those playoff games are held in conjunction with the DIA Round of 16 and Semifinals.

D1A Men, D1 Elite Women Join Forces For Playoffs

D1 Elite Results Against Each Other 2019-2020:

Lindenwood 41 Life 5
Lindenwood 104 Penn State 0
Life 44 Penn State 12
Life 46 Central Washington 32
Life 28 Penn State 12