NIRA Semifinals: Easy to Predict or Not?

11.15.2024

Championship weekend in NIRA is soon upon us but first we need to know who will play there.

And while there do seem to be favorites in both D-I and D-II, we could certainly see things shift.

D-II

AIC is the favorite and has enjoyed an excellent season. The YellowJackets have lost twice, both to D-I teams, and both times in competitive games. They've been dominant in D-II except, of course, against defending champs Davenport. That game seemed to be in control at 33-19 but Davenport stormed back to make it close at 33-31. Still, AIC closed it out with a converted try.

So now AIC faces Frostburg, a team they beat by a wide margin earlier and so the YellowJackets have to be favored here.

Davenport has had a similar fall, tying Sacred Heart, playing Army tough, and beating Navy. But, tellingly, they beat the team they face this weekend, West Chester, 65-14. Led by Aubrey Crist and Carrie Coyer-Westerberg, the Panthers know a little bit about winning the big game.

Frostburg at AIC Nov 16 1PM ET

West Chester at Davenport Nov 16 10AM ET Live Stream Here>>

D-I

Of course Dartmouth is the favorite as they rolled through the season undefeated. The Big Green plays Brown this weekend and two weeks ago Dartmouth beat that same Brown side 60-19. Expect Brown to have made some adjustments, but the big thing about Dartmouth is that they have a really, really good forward pack in open play.

Yes they have players who can run and pass and play open rugby, but it all starts in tight. Katelyn Walker, Paola Arredondo Almeida, Katja Crawford, Crawford again, and Annie Henrich all scored tries in the first half of that game. Sadie Schier, Henrich, Sierra Santiago, Josie Harrison, and Kellie Miller all scored in the second half. Henrich, in just her first year at Dartmouth, has been outstanding as a goalkicker and playmaker and scored 20 points in that game, makes sure the tries generally count for seven. So, yes, Brown will have to make some adjustments.

Harvard will have now such easy go with Army. The Black Knights at West Point have shown that they are willing to battle. With a forward pack that isn't super-big but works enormously hard. Harvard, meanwhile, pushed Dartmouth 26-19 on October 12 and had two other games that were real battles.

Expect this game to be close, and potentially down to the final whistle.

Army at Harvard Nov 16 Noon ET Live Stream Here>>

Brown at Dartmouth Nov 16 Noon ET Live Stream Here>>