GRR: UVM
Turning heads this past week in Men's DII college rugby was University of Vermont, which dismissed a very capable UMass Lowell side 38-0.
No one doubts that the New England Wide Collegiate Rugby Conference is a difficult conference, so to win a game by that margin (the two teams tied in their match last year) is definitely worth a closer look.
The the teams that usually do well in the New England Wide College Rugby Conference are all starting strong as Norwich, Coast Guard, UMass-Lowell, and Vermont all won to improve to 2-0.
Why is Vermont the #1-ranked DII team in the country?
Because UVM is shutting teams out. Scoring a ton of points is difficult, to be sure, but blanking opponents is way, way harder, and if you are successful, then you only need to score once to win a game.
Give up two or three tries and you rely more on your offense.
The Norwich University men's rugby team remained undefeated (7-0) with a convincing 39-12 victory over NECRC rival University of Vermont.
The Cadets' victory clinched the NECRC 2016 Conference Championship and gives them an automatic bid to the USA Division II Collegiate Rugby National round of 16.
Norwich continued their solid run of form with a win in league play in the DII NECRC.
It was a big result for the Cadets, as they beat Rhode Island for the first time since 2012, winning 30-21.