Dramatic Finish in Women's D1A Clash as Lindenwood Edges Life
Dramatic Finish in Women's D1A Clash as Lindenwood Edges Life
Just to shake things up, Lindenwood pulled off a road victory over Life University in Women's D1A action.
The D1A semifinals loom and it looks as though Life will be the #1 seed regardless, but the result was still important as both teams target another meeting in the Women's D1A (formerly D1 Elite) final.
The game itself was played at a level of pace and physicality that was extremely high. Life started the game working through phases and testing the Lindenwood defense. A thundering hit at midfield turned the ball over for Lindenwood and Freda Tafuna nabbed the ball and took off for about 58 meters. Two Life players just barely slowed her down, and of course Amy Brice was there in support to get Tafuna's pass and score.
Tafuna's attempt at the conversion grazed the post and it was 5-0. Powerful runs from Tafuna, props Millie Gibson and Jenalei Fifita, and flanker Irie Farley got the Lions going again, and finally a bouncing pass found its way into the hands of lock Lucia Del Campo, who took off to the corner, and Lindenwood led 10-0.
For several minutes, thanks in part to a couple of penalties, Life camped out in the Lindenwood end of the field. The Running Eagles ran a move off the lineout and dropped the ball off the top inside to Brooklyn Vaifanua, and she was driven over. Lindenwood's hard-charging forwards continued to backpedal the Life defense. So much so, in fact, that when they earned a kickable penalty they opted to tap it and charge on. Life held on doggedly, making 11 tackles backed up to their goalline. But finally as the ball rolled tantalizingly out of the ruck, Tafuna picked it up and twisted her way over.
The defending MA Sorensen Award winner then slotted the conversion for a 17-5 lead.
Lindenwood were guilty of no-tackler-release as Life countered on a kick. The result was a penalty and a kick to the corner from Nina Mason. The lineout-and-maul gave a different look than before, but Vaifanua was still the scorer. Mason converted and it was 17-12 at halftime.
Life exploded out of the blocks in the second half. The Running Eagles attacked with alacrity off a scrum, and some nifty interplay put Azhinaye Barner—who had been very dangerous in the first half—over the line. That tied the game, and then 10 minutes into the second half Life worked a maul into the Lindenwood 22. From there, scrumhalf Alle English ran a keeper and then the ball was sent out to Angelina Niu who offloaded to Emma Haughey to score.
Out of the game at 17-5, Life was now ahead. Mason converted the try and it was 24-17 for the Running Eagles. Lindenwood, however, would have the final say.
A turnover and then a massive break up the middle by Makena Taumoepeau was quickly recycled and as Life was somewhat slow to get back, wing Claire Ferguson took the pass and popped inside to Tafuna. The No. 8 produced an absolutely elite finish, dragging two with her over the line. That made it 24-22.
Finally, with time up, Lindenwood camped out on the line. Life held them off again and again until the Lions were able get it over in the corner.
Referee discussion, and try given. And that was it, 27-24 for Lindenwood, and, following up on the 29-24 Life win over Lindenwood at the beginning of March, we have the makings of a thrilling season finale.
Also this week, Central Washington celebrated senior day with a 19-10 victory over BYU. Jessica Postle scored early for CWU but BYU led 10-5 into the second half before tries from Linda Chavira and Lilly Thomas saw the Wildcats take it.
"I'm just happy we could get the win for our seniors' last match in Tomlinson," CWU Head Coach Matt Ramirez said. "It was a tough day out there and full credit to BYU for bringing the pressure like they do each matchup. We'll dig into the film, but we need to improve in our tenacity to nail the basics and choosing effort over everything. Right now, it's all about recovery as we head into next week and then the playoffs."
