GRR: Florida International
In a meeting of two undefeated teams, Florida International University went down to a 24-14 loss to the University of Central Florida in the first game of the New Year in Florida Women's DI college play.
FIU’s forwards were no match for UCF’s dominating aggression in set pieces, and the UCF Knights ultimately quieted the FIU Panthers.
Florida International continued the team’s unbeaten run by sweeping Georgia Southern and Middle Tennessee State in the SIRC final four this past weekend, but it wasn’t easy.
As the fall season comes to a close, there are already glimpses of the action that awaits in the spring. West Coast teams have played each other at tournaments like Scrum by the Sea and Stanford 7s, and the Pacific Mountain Conference has held North Division games.
Two ranked teams, #20 Middle Tennessee State and #26 Florida International, join three-time DIAA national finalists Central Florida and 5-1 Georgia Southern in the SIRC final four this weekend.
Florida International returns to the spring final four for the second consecutive year, but the post-season appearance is more than a benchmark for the DII team. FIU has something to say about women’s rugby in Florida, and it’s letting its victories do the talking.
