College Women
The Mid-Atlantic women’s DII college quarterfinal was an interesting one. Two conference runners-up – Capital’s Salisbury and Carolinas’ College of Charleston – won their Round of 16 matches, while their respective conference champions (Mary Washington and South Carolina) were eliminated on Saturday.
CSU Northridge is 10 years more mature after its experience at the DII West regional championship. The Southern California champ won its two playoff games by a combined 13 points, beating UN Reno 41-32 in overtime Saturday (read more) and a hungry Humboldt 36-32 yesterday.
Central Washington didn’t have to prove that it was a good team; just a glimpse at its roster confirms as much. But last weekend’s DI West regional championship lent some depth to its talent, as the Wildcats defeated Stanford 53-7 in Sunday’s quarterfinal.
North Carolina entered the South DI regional championship well prepared. Solid scouting created a game plan that took the ball out of Life's hands, and the Tar Heels executed well … until the final minute of play. Leaning on its fitness and patience, the Running Eagles scored the game-winning try at the buzzer for a 12-10 win and trip to the spring final four.
West Chester returns to the DI spring final four, but it was no easy road. UVA wanted that return bid to Pittsburgh, and the fact that the duo played each other two weeks ago meant that both sides had targeted game plans in place. But the Rams were able to enforce their style of play better and won 28-9.