NIRA Marches On: Women DI College Games Kick Off

While the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) getting into its second week, we're also seeing several women's D1 collegiate teams get on the field as well.

NIRA

In NIRA D1, Brown is looking to build off an encouraging overtime loss to Army as the Bears take on Mount St. Mary's. Long Island University, which lost by a big score to Dartmouth in their opener will find life doesn't any easier as LIU takes on 1-0 Harvard.

Two 1-0 teams meet up in Dartmouth taking on Quinnipiac.

NIRA's other games include a DIII clash between two really strong Northern New England teams in hosts Norwich and Maine's Bowdoin. The last time these two faced off Bowdoin took a tight 12-7 win in the NIRA playoffs. University of New England won big last week against Colby-Sawyer behind two tries each from Salma Bezzat, Meghan Smith, and Emily Ramsey. The Nor'easters will take on 2019 NIRA DII champs West Chester in a crossover clash. Alderson Broaddus plays a development game with New Haven.

D1 College

In D1 Davenport, a program that is marching its way toward full varsity status, plays two games with Adrian College and Grace Christian both visiting Grand Rapids.

The Rocky Mountain Conference, which combines DI and DII teams, starts up this weekend. Favored contenders Air Force hosts DII team Colorado School of Mines. This will be a tough test for Mines, but in a way this is a no-lose proposition for Mines. They can play hard, learn some stuff, and a loss means little.

Utah Valley takes on Colorado Mesa in another DI v DII clash. The all-DI meeting is Montana State vs Utah State. As is the case all over the country, recruiting numbers for teams will remain a question.

Check back for scores.