Final Home Rugby Match Has National Tournament Implications
The rugby team at Rice University has come a long way in the last four years. When the current seniors were freshmen, Rice rugby had its struggles. The team had a below .500 record in Division II rugby. The next year, Rice improved drastically, going undefeated in Division II rugby. Rice moved on to the Western Conference finals and won in the first round, earning a spot in the National Tournament. Rice lost in the first round to Pepperdine University in a close match, 31-21. Rice played a consolation game the next day against California State University, Long Beach, and won, ending the season ranked ninth in the nation in Division II rugby. Last year, Rice moved up to Division I-AA rugby, the second-highest level of collegiate rugby. Although Rice did not go undefeated, the team had great success, finishing the season in second place in Texas.
This year, Rice's success has continued. Once again, Rice has started the season undefeated in conference play. The first game of the season was a battle against Texas State University. A last-minute try sealed the victory as Rice beat Texas State 33-19. Rice had another game last semester against a Texas Christian University team that seemed to be up and coming. Rice defeated TCU by a large margin, with a final score of 62-26. This semester, season play resumed with a cup match against the University of North Texas. A late try sealed the victory, with Rice winning 32-18.
Rice rugby hopes to continue the undefeated streak as it faces St. Edwards University at home tomorrow. St. Edwards is also undefeated in conference play and looks to be a strong side this year. The game has National Tournament implications since the winner of this game will likely finish the season undefeated and possibly earn a bid to the Sweet 16 National Tournament in late April.
In Division I-AA rugby there is no regional tournament. Instead, if the conference has at least seven official college teams, the winner of the conference earns a bid to the National Tournament. There are 13 conferences that fit this requirement, leaving three possible at-large bids. Rice's conference, the Southwest Conference, only has six recognized teams; therefore, Rice must earn an at-large bid to the National Tournament, meaning USA Rugby has to select Rice, out of all the remaining teams in Division I-AA rugby, to attend the Sweet 16 National Tournament.
The rugby team has made attempts to justify receiving an at-large bid from USA Rugby. Rice has beaten teams that are competing in Division I-A rugby, the highest level of collegiate rugby. Winning this game is the next step to earning an at-large bid.
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