We have conference champions decided in men's D2.
Great Midwest
Northern Iowa continued its astonishing run of results, beating Wisconsin-Whitewater 93-5 in the Great Midwest final.
In the four conference games as well as semifinals and final, Northern Iowa has outscored their opposition 520-30, an average of 87-5. No one has come close to this team. They have to be a #1 seed in the NCR Round of 16. Loyola won convincingly over Northwestern to take 3rd.
NEWCRC
Maine defeated Norwich 17-15 to win the NEWCRC. Clearly this is a tight conference, especially at the top. It is highly likely Norwich will get a play-in.
In a game that was much more defensive-minded than either team had been used to, Norwich opened up the scoring with a penalty goal and extended that lead to 8-0 late in the first half. But as halftime approached, Maine got a try from center Shea Wagner off a backline move launched from a lineout, and with the conversion it was 8-7 at 40 minutes.
Wagner would later be shown a yellow card for a high tackle and right after that Norwich scored their second try to lead 15-7. As the game wore on, Maine got closer with a converted try from flyhalf Jonathan Williams. Now down by a point again, Maine pressured and at 74 minutes the Black Bears got a kickable penalty and Wagner put it over. Norwich had a chance to regain the lead late, but were held out.
Allegheny
IUP beat Miami 75-5 in impressive fashion. The Crimson Hawks' attack was really firing this weekend—they have been playing some fine attacking rugby but the connections were especially good in the Allegheny final.
Liberty
Marist defeated an improved Albany 36-19 to win the Liberty. The game was tied at halftime and Marist had to work for it.
"They kicked well, they pressured well in defense," said Marist Head Coach James Kimberly. "Credit to Albany, a much improved team. Not our best effort and a lot of points left on the field but the kids played really hard rugby in the second half."
Marist scored through freshman hooker Christian Carlson. Albany tied It up about 10 minutes later on a quick tap, and then punished a Marist mistake to pounce on a loose ball and take a 12-7 lead. Marist came back after that Prop Christian Gregor scored on the final play of the first half.
Marist took the initiative in the second half.
"We came out with a renewed energy and controlled the pace for the next 20 minutes," said Kimberly.
Flanker Tomas Falcon was hugely influential. Freshman wing Gino Carusone tapped quickly on a penalty to score. A well-executed counterattack on an Albany kick put Gregor in for his second for Marist.
Albany intercepted a pass to get within a try before Marist flyhalf Ryker Wierdsma kicked a penalty and No. 8 TJ Finegan scored the final try. Marist ran the close out after that.
"Proud to have won the first Liberty Championship," said Kimberly. Marist was previously in the Tri-State Conference, which was treated as a lesser conference in NCR's and, before that, USA Rugby's seeding. So to go 7-0 as a former Tri-State team was a big thing for Marist. "I didn’t know what to expect with this group but they have worked hard. I’m hoping Albany gets a shot at a play in, they are a different team now and they are a tough out."
