D2 College Championship Updates: NEWCRC, GMW, Gateway

Great Midwest

Loyola defeated Illinois State and Northwestern this past weekend to vault to 4-1 and 2nd in the Great Midwest South. 

That confirmed a semifinal spot for Loyola as they got by a University of Chicago team that enjoyed a strong season, going 3-2. After losing a close one to Loyola, Chicago needed a win against unbeaten Northern Iowa and that didn't come to pass—UNI won 73-3 to finish up 5-0.

Marquette played UW-Whitewater in a meeting of teams that could possibly be facing off in the conference final. Marquette came away 43-27 winners despite getting a red card.

"The whole team coming together was really important for us, especially after the red card," said Marquette's Pat Cooney. "It wasn't a one-man win. We all came together and dug deep to play for our brothers alongside us."

Sam Pobtoki and Ciaran Gavin-Quinn led the attack, with Gavin Quinn scoring two tries.

So Northern Iowa plays Whitewater in Cedar Falls, Ia., and Marquette hosts Loyola in Milwaukee.

The winners face off November 5 at the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex in Cottage Grove, Wisc. There will likely be a 3rd-place playoff also as that likely decides a playoff seed.

"I think we are in a good position after our win to keep playing strong matches," said UNI's Jentry Staack. "We can always make improvements but I feel really good about how much the team has developed so far."

Staack at flyhalf and Davis Randall at scrumhalf have been working together very nicely, while Cooper Isaacson has been developing into a potent attacking weapon at hooker.

Lock Garrett Getz has a very high work rate and seems to be involved in aspects of play all over the field.

Gateway

Principia ran past Maryville to cap off a huge regular season. UMS&T shut out John Brown 19-0. That put them at 202 but even with Southern Nazarene not going to D2 playoffs, SNU will play Principia in the semis. Wash U will take on CMU.