This weekend was an important one in Southern California, for both DI and DII women’s colleges, and a fantastic Friday night match initiated the action. Reigning DII conference champ Long Beach State proved vulnerable after a big loss to CSU Northridge, and Friday’s game against a solid UC Irvine was going to indicate just how vulnerable. UCI focused the spotlight on itself, and ended the evening with an 18-5 win.

“We came into this game pumped from the start, with it being our last game of the season,” said UCI president Jessica Hernandez. “Being in the right mindset makes all the difference in game play.”

Three minutes in, Irvine flanker Markayla Cozzoli dotted down the half’s only try, giving her side the 5-0 lead into the break. The breakaway inspired a relentless stand against Long Beach’s strong, hard-running pack, and the effort awarded Cozzoli the Forward MVP nod. The backs were eager as well, and inside center Elona Williams proved difficult to contain. Long Beach recognized her as a “tricky player,” marking the third-straight week in which the opposition acknowledged the ICEF grad' offensive prowess.

“I think we did exceptionally well on our rucks this game, many of which went uncontested and some leading in turnovers,” recalled Hernandez. “Flyhalf Virginia Ruano kept the ball on Long Beach's half the whole game with her kicks down field.”

Ruano helped Irvine win the territory game on Friday, but her boot also afforded the majority of points. The #10 slotted two penalties, which gave Irvine an 11-0 lead late into the game.

Long Beach made it interesting in minute 73, when aggressive No. 8 Angela Baker rumbled over for five points, 11-5. Two minutes later, Back MVP Ruano squashed that late-breaking momentum, sending a long-range kick into space for wing Paige Haar to scoop and score. Ruano’s conversion made it 18-5.

“This is the first time in UCI history that we have beaten Long Beach,” Hernandez said. “It feels really great considering both of our teams started out at the same time, and we have a lot of experience playing each other. In my opinion I consider them to be our biggest rivals because of that shared history.”

It was a great way to end the regular season, and Irvine is poised to finish in the top four. The conference playoffs will occur on April 11 at a to-be-name location, so there will be more rivalries to play out this spring.