It's still preseason time for D1A and NCR D1 teams but now we're thinking a little bit more about conference matches as well as what progress teams can make in non-conference games.
Queens University Charlotte started the preseason strong with a shutout win over Rio Grande, and then ran into a really tough Army side and lost 75-7. So maybe they hit a happy middle ground with a Southern Virginia side that is looking to make some improvements.
Southern Virginia pulled away a little from Rugby East play last year because of numbers and Head Coach Paul Lasike wanting to work on team culture.
He succeeded quite well.
SVU is targeting some wins in their season; the Knights have seven games scheduled this fall and while Army, Navy, and Life might be a stretch, Queens, Penn State, Mount St. Mary's, and Mary Washington are all within reach. Wow, that's a tough schedule.
Indiana is at Arkansas State and while the Red Wolves are undergoing a coaching change, they're ready to rock and with skipper Aaron van Dyk leading the way they will be a difficult, physical challenge for the Hoosiers. Indiana is coming off a win over Kentucky, but they weren't overjoyed with their performance.
Siena, St. Bonaventure, and Mary Washington all convene at SBU for a three-team round-robin. Mount St. Mary's and Davenport repeat their clash from last fall where they meet at St. Edward HS in Cleveland for a nice neutral-site preseason match.
This was a good game for both sides last year, with Mount putting other teams on notice that they were an up-and-comer.
