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.