Lindenwood-Belleville hosts a 7s tournament this weekend, and it’s yet another first for a program that didn’t exist a year ago.

L-B made the national DII 15s playoffs, and now is looking at a berth at USA Rugby’s 7s DII nationals. They have an excellent shot, as Head Coach Pat Clifton has worked hard to get his Lynx game time, going to Florida, Tennessee, and Las Vegas to find it.

In Vegas, they didn't do too badly at all, beating Dixie State and Ithaca, and winning a walkover against NEC. They lost in the knockout and consolation rounds, but the games were close - 22-19 to James Madison, and 26-19 to Air Force. Overall, it was an impressive performance for a new program and gave them more valuable experience in a tournament where they might well be the favorites.

But this will not be an easy tournament. In fact, many might look at this lineup of teams and wonder whether all eight could make fit to Cary, NC.

Lindenwood-Belleville is in Pool B with Minnesota-Duluth, the defending 15s DII national champs, St. Louis University, which won the Spring Hill Qualifier last week, and Washington University.

In Pool B, recent national DII 15s runners-up UW Whitewater has all kinds of pace and open-field adventurousness. Principia won the first USA Rugby DII title back in 2013, while Winona and Southern Illinois are both tough teams.

Below is the schedule.