The Golden Rams Women’s Rugby team is traveling to Wheeling, West Virginia to play Division II (DII) opponent Davenport University to finish out their regular season.
After this game, the Golden Rams will be the only DII team to have played every DII team.
Davenport University (DU) is 2-0 in National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) play so far this season. They defeated American International College in a close match (22-19) and the University of New Haven.
In all games, DU is 6-0 on the season with additional wins against Adrian University (72-5) (58-12), Notre Dame College (59-21) and the United States Naval Academy (44-5).
The match against West Chester University (WCU) will be both teams’ final match of the season. Regardless of outcome, this match will decide the seedings going into semifinals.
The first place seeding will host the fourth place seeding and the second seed will host the third seed. The winners of each semifinal match will move on to the final. This year, Dartmouth College is hosting the championships for all three divisions.
The Golden Rams have a 2-2 NIRA DII record with a 2-3 record in all games as of Oct. 28.
WCU is ready to face off against DU, and are looking for a win.
“I’m excited and as I can be,” senior Anne Kelekolio said. “I have faith we can pull off a win if we just rely on each other and play as one.”
DU is coming off an undefeated winning streak, and the Golden Rams are not expecting the game to be easy.
“I think this will be a great learning experience,” junior Ellie O’Mara said.
Despite losing senior captain Heather Spangler to injury, the Golden Rams feel confident in their ability to adapt.
“It’ll be a difficult game, but every week I’m more impressed by our team’s ability to adapt to adversity and come out victorious,” senior Vanesa Hasanhodzic said.
The Golden Rams are looking to finish this season off with a win.
Ty Hickey is a second-year media and culture major with a minor in Chinese