NDC, Michigan Cap Off NCR Women's D1 Playoffs Sunday
NDC, Michigan Cap Off NCR Women's D1 Playoffs Sunday
NCR's Women's D1 playoffs conclude this weekend in Houston with Notre Dame College vs Michigan and ...
The NCR D1 playoff is an interesting competition because it mixes teams that are in different situations—large schools that are clubs, smaller schools that are clubs, and school-supported programs. Southern Nazarene is a new school-supported program out of Oklahoma and made the playoffs, going down to Northern Iowa 43-29 in the quarterfinals.
Iowa and Michigan, two large-school teams, moved on also from the quarterfinals, beating Colgate and Iowa State, respectively. Another big-school team, Clemson, lost to Notre Dame College—more on them later.
The semifinals were quite competitive, with NDC over Iowa 41-19 and Michigan over Northern Iowa 31-14.
For Northern Iowa, which made the final against Life University's development side last fall, they hung in there. They absorbed a long period of attacking pressure by the Wolverines before turning the ball over and breaking through for a long-range try and a 7-0 lead. Michigan, which had been camped out in the UNI 22 for several minutes, now were in a hole.
Michigan's issue was getting that last pass to the open players out wide. They had overlaps, but couldn't get the ball there. After giving up the try to UNI they did manage to score in the corner and then carefully marched their way into the opposing half again to get a second try and the lead.
Michigan's domination of territory began to tell with another try, but Northern Iowa hung on for a while after that. Only a fracture field counter-attack try spoiled the rest of the half. Michigan led 24-7 at the break, but still, after dominating possession and territory they might felt they should have had more. One more try and they rang the changes.
All that implies perhaps a bit of a depth issue, but the Wolverines have just the one game to play now, so they saved their starters for that. Their outside backs, including center Barb Ribiero and fullback Ember Larson, are dangerous when they get the ball.
Notre Dame College is the school-supported team that made it to the final. Despite three season-ending injuries the Falcons kept going and beat Clemson 57-5 and Iowa 41-19. Rested a little through the Thanksgiving holiday the Falcons will be very difficult to beat.
Their work rate on defense and speed to the ball in the breakdown are better than that of Northern Iowa. They are in a good position to frustrate the Michigan attack.
Cold, snowy weather kept the semifinal closer, but in Houston the expected warmer weather might make for an open game.
Leading the way for the Falcons are props Mary McLoughlin and Alivia Leatherman, who both bring great intensity and are powerful in contact.
Scrumhalf Aubrey Boing is a mature leader and conduit for the attack, while Gabby Dispenza and Bella Gullatta have been outstanding in the backline.
All of this perhaps leads to a feeling that Notre Dame College is the heavy favorite. If you look at common opponents, the Falcons have an advantage, but not a massive advantage:
Michigan 34-22 Iowa
NDC 41-19 Iowa
Michigan 31-14 Northern Iowa
NDC 57-17 Northern Iowa
But you still have to play the game. Kickoff 2PM, Sunday, December 4, Aveva Stadium, Houston.
