As Saint Michael’s and Stonehill entered the final week of the Rugby Northeast season, both teams had already secured places in the DII fall Round of 32. But there was no semblance of comfort on the pitch when the undefeated rivals contested the conference title Saturday. Stonehill wanted its third-straight trophy, but Saint Michael’s controlled the game for a 41-12 win.

“We were pumped up,” Saint Michael’s coach Charles Cisco confirmed. “Stonehill is a quality program, and we have a lot of respect for them. The schools are traditional Northeast 10 rivals, and they’re very similar: old Catholic schools playing a long time. And ever since the [Rugby Northeast] conference formed, that rivalry has been reinvigorated between the rugby teams.”

The teams spent the first 10 minutes testing each other, and then the Knights’ defense started exerting itself.

“We took advantage of our excellent defense, and they weren’t able to get their offense moving,” Cisco explained. “We pressured them at all points. But when we got going, Stonehill’s No. 8 prevented a lot more points from being scored. She is an exceptional player and really challenged us in the loose play.”

But it wasn’t enough to subdue a Saint Michael’s team that prides itself on a multi-faceted attack. The Knights started crossing the try line at minute 13 and ended the half with a 24-point lead. Saint Michael’s worked the bench in the second stanza, and the teams traded two tries apiece for the 41-12 finish.

“We scored from almost everywhere,” Cisco said. “We’d break them down in the middle a bit, and then swing it wide. Our speed outside was able create overloads and get around the corner. When they started to cover us outside, then we broke up the middle with the scummies.”

Prop Katie Fawthrop scored two tries, while flanker Lilia Taggersell, outside center Hannah Owen, wing Katharine Tooke, and fullback Chellzea Edgar added a try apiece. Owen also slotted four conversions and a penalty to lead her side with 16 points.

“We’re very balanced,” Cisco said. “We’ve had games where most of the tries came from the scrummies, and then through the backs other games. We’re not a one-pony show.”

Cisco compared this year’s team to the 2012 squad that won the conference and still stands as one of the best squads that Saint Michael’s has fielded. There are similarities in determination and character, and the senior leadership from the 8-9-10 combo – Erika Figuroa, Ashley Cook, and Renee Bousquet – is very influential.

“They’re feeling confident,” Cisco looked ahead to playoffs. “Most of this group has been playing together for the last three years. They know what to expect and what to do. We’re going to continue to practice well and be ready for Smith.”

Should Saint Michael’s defeat New England Wide runner-up Smith in the Round of 32, then it will move onto the Round of 16 at Vassar College. The Knights would then play the winner of Upstate NY champion Ithaca College and Tri-State #3 Albany. Stonehill will contest its first fall playoff in New Jersey, taking on Tri-State runner-up Rutgers on Nov. 14.

Click here for updated DII brackets, which are awaiting at-large announcements.