GRR: UW Steven's Point
Sometimes, one of the best things a team can do is lose. That’s what happened with UW Steven’s Point during the final week of the Great Waters regular season. Its opponent, UW Eau Claire, wasn’t going to the post-season, but that didn’t dilute its aggressive work at the breakdown and fringe, nor the impact of center Robin Blevins and flanker Janee Kutz.
While this is the second year that Great Waters has hosted a two-pool, 14-team league, it is the competition’s first season as a hybrid league. Two of the divisions’ best – DII’s UW Stevens Point and NSCRO’s UW Platteville – squared off on Saturday, and UWSP exited with a 38-0 win to secure first in the northern pool.
UW Steven’s Point was busy last weekend, winning the Ball’s Out Brawl on Saturday and hosting a 7s tournament Saturday.
A punch-up was predicted between Mankato State and UW Steven’s Point, as the two Midwestern teams fought for a spot in the USA Rugby Women’s DII College Fall Championship, hosted by ACRA, Round of 16. The Mavericks held onto a tenuous three-point lead at half, and then held UWSP scoreless while piling on three second-half tries for the 32-14 victory.