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02.04.2015College Women
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The game of the weekend will occur between undefeateds CSU Northridge and UC Riverside. Riverside has already taken down two of Southern California's tougher teams: UC Irvine 26-8 and USC 51-27. Northridge is 2-0 as well, but almost gave up last Saturday’s game to Irvine, holding on for a 25-19 win.

“It was not as close as the score shows, but the tides did definitely shift,” CSU Northridge coach Christina Alatorre explained last week's win.

Northridge led 20-0 at half, but 10 minutes after the break, starters Monique Robles, Jenna Loucks and Lupe Moreno left the pitch (the latter two suffered injuries). Morale shifted, and UCI scored three second-half tries to Northridge’s one (Gillian Chance accounted for the five points).

Irvine and USC will play on Friday night, and that match should be a good one as well. In other SoCal action, CSU Fullerton has been postponing games so it’s uncertain whether Saturday’s match against Occidental will occur; and Long Beach State, which posted a 69-0 win over Oxy last weekend, should get its second league win against Claremont.

The West Coast conference has scheduled four games as well, but like SoCal, it’s unlikely that they’ll all come off. SF BATS has been forfeiting games, so it’s unlikely that UN Reno, which posted a 59-20 win over Sacramento State on Saturday, will bank an eligible game. St. Mary’s vs. Santa Clara is questionable, too.

The jewel of the weekend is Humboldt vs. UC Santa Cruz. These two teams compete in the upper tier of the conference, and Saturday’s game will mark Humboldt’s first game of the season.

“I applaud the efforts of the new teams in our league that are trying to get established, but we are challenged by not having consistent competition, as we have been training hard and all the other divisions with spring competitive seasons are well underway,” Humboldt coach Evi Ashenbrucker said. “The forfeitures have been disappointing. The girls are more than ready to play.”

And eager to defend its conference title. The team is returning all but two players from last season, and the rookies are looking good as well. In particular, look for freshmen Madison Wallace (lock) and Clare Berry (flanker) in the forwards. Both players have high school rugby experience.

“Madison is a powerhouse in the set piece, and Clare has a hustle and contagiously positive attitude that is unmatched,” Ashenbrucker said. “I am also very pleased with senior forwards captain Krista Miller, who is running the front row and has stepped up hugely in a leadership way.”

Fullback Jordan Ludtke anchors the backs, who all sport good speed and athleticism. Follow freshman Olivia Barnett, a former wrestler, and sophomore speedster Lila Bell for examples of such.

The team is particularly excited for the return of backs captain Jasmine Phiengsai, who comes back to the pitch after a yearlong injury.

“I have been delighted to see [Phiengsai] in action, as she has tremendous ability to control the game and set the pace,” Ashenbrucker said of the senior halfback.

In the Carolinas conference, Appalachian State will try to rebound from its 25-15 loss (read more) to UNC Charlotte with a win against Elon, while the College of Charleston (AHO’s traditional rival) takes on UNC Greensboro. South Carolina and UNC Wilmington will also play.

And in Southern Independent, Florida Atlantic will hopefully get a better test against South Florida on Saturday. FAU beat Miami 74-5, while USF banked a forfeit win against Florida Gulf Coast last weekend.

Active DII Conference Standings

FloridaWLDPFPAPDBPPTS
FL Atlantic1007456915
South Florida1002802815
FL International00000000
Eckerd00000000
FL Gulf Coast010028-2800
Miami010574-6900
         
CarolinasWLDPFPAPDBPPTS
South Carolina1002802815
UNC Charlotte10025151015
Col of Charleston00000000
Elon00000000
Appalachian St0101525-1000
UNC Greensboro010028-2800
         
CascadeWLTFPFPAPDPTS
Western Washington1000252234
Idaho1001292810
Western Oregon02005054-40
Seattle University0003000-12
         
SIRC NorthWLDPFPAPDBPPTS
Lee University200831271210
UT Chattanooga1002217515
Georgia0101722-511
North Georgia0101234-2200
Clemson010049-4900
         
SIRC SouthWLDPFPAPDBPPTS
Kennesaw State2001001783210
Alabama200591049210
Emory0101019-900
Spring Hill College0101037-2700
Georgia Southern0205103-9800
         
SoCalWLDPFPAPDBPPTS
CSU Northridge200921973210
UC Riverside200773542210
USC11081582326
Long Beach State1006906915
UC Irvine0202751-2411
CSU Fullerton00000000
Claremont010067-6700
Occidental0207123-11600
         
West CoastWLDPFPAPDBPPTS
UN Reno2001143777210
Fresno State200841767210
UC Santa Cruz2101296960210
Sacramento State0102059-3911
Humboldt00000000
St. Mary's0101756-3900
SF BATS020056-5600
Santa Clara0101484-7000

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