Although the match-ups and kickoff times have been published (click here), the women’s DI and DII spring brackets have not. Therefore, the match-ups for the final four are not known. Nevertheless, below is some insight into the DI and DII regional playoffs.

Mid-Atlantic: Pittsburgh, Pa.
DIVISION I
Four Mason Dixon conference teams comprise this regional playoff, so it’s no surprise that West Chester, the champion, is the favorite. The game to watch will occur on Sunday, when the Rams are expected to play UVA.

But first, West Chester must get past James Madison on Saturday. During the teams’ regular season match, the Rams prevailed 67-5, and during the conference quarterfinals, Virginia Tech beat JMU 66-5. The Pennsylvania side is driven by upperclassmen like All American fullback Nicole Benedetti, flyhalf Katie Walston, loose forward Erin Gallagher, and prop Arielle Gantt. West Chester has produced Junior All Americans in Lizzy Groff and Adriana Zeiders, and watch for sophomore wing Sophia Schwab, who scored four tries against North Carolina in the conference final.

On the other side of the bracket, UVA and its unconventional style of play is expected to prevail over Virginia Tech. The duo met two weekends ago in the conference 3^rd place game, which UVA won 48-7. Former Women’s All American captain Brianna Kim is one of several great leaders on the squad, and she helps drive the team’s motto, “embrace chaos,” on the pitch. She connects well with flyhalf Laura Watkins, who helps launch a good backline punctuated by fullback Hannah Turley and the hard-working Peyton Larus. All American Christy Haney helps drive the forwards, who work hard to disrupt opponents’ breakdowns at every chance.

The rematch between UVA and West Chester is a highly anticipated one, considering the Rams only won 35-20 at the conference semifinals.

DIVISION II
This half of the competition is far less predictable. One might favor reigning national champion Mary Washington as the favorite in this pool – and they might end the weekend 2-0 – but their success is not a certainty.

After winning the title in 2014, a strange thing happened: recruitment actually dropped. Coach Kris Kabza surmised that students were intimidated by the team’s success, and program-low numbers marked the rookie class. Still, Mary Washington pulled out another Capital conference title over Salisbury, but then only played five of the 11 games scheduled in the 2015 pre-season, thanks to weather.

With all that said, remaining focused will be the team’s biggest obstacle this weekend. A tragic circumstance has sidelined an important teammate, and Kabza is hoping the team will rally around her presence at the venue, and not be distracted by her absence on the field. The team is bringing 32 players to Pittsburgh, but will be missing its president, All American wing Elyssa McClain, and two of last year’s standout flankers on the pitch. There is depth at certain positions, but the battle this weekend will be a mental one.

Mentality might be one area in which College of Charleston has an edge. The team dropped a three-point contest to South Carolina in the Carolinas final and was given a second chance with this berth to nationals. It is also the only team in this bracket that contested its league season in the spring, and therefore, didn’t have to peak twice in one year.

The victor will play the winner of Salisbury vs. IUP. Salisbury won a friendly against Mary Washington, and then “warmed up” (it was freezing) at the Cherry Blossom tournament with a big win against American and 12-3 loss to Rutgers. One of Salisbury’s strengths is its open-field defense, but if Allegheny champ IUP can mount a solid forward attack, working the area around the breakdown, then they’ll do well to move down the pitch.

Want to learn more about the DI and DII playoffs? Then read about the three other regional championships:

West: Eager for Central Washington vs. Stanford quarterfinal; West Coast leaders attempt to subdue '14 national finalist CSU Northridge

Southwest: BYU leads a pool that includes two California teams; the winner of Texas State vs. UC Riverside advances to the semifinals in Pittsburgh

South: Life has chance to declare itself top team in the South; caliber of Florida teams unknown, face conference champions