GRAND RAPIDS, Mi.- For the fifth year in a row, the West Chester University women's rugby team (5-3, 2-2) is finishing its preparations for its NIRA Division II Semifinal appearance at second-seeded Davenport (3-2-1) on Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. West Chester remains in search of its first Division II National Championship game appearance since 2021.
West Chester at Davenport
Game Details: November 16 I 10 A.M.
Location: DU Turf Field (Grand Rapids, MI.)
Coverage Links: Watch $
Series: 0-5 (Since Oct. 2017)
WCU Links: NEWS I
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Davenport Links: NEWS I
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Last Time Out
West Chester looked to rebound at home against a hungry Mount St. Mary's squad. Before the action started, the Golden Rams honored seniors
Ellie O'Mara,
Josephine Jones,
Mikayla Kizel,
Amelia DiCicco,
Lilly Rhode, Kristen Swaveley,
Elly Gorham,
Brooke Crago,
Ty Hickey, and
Sara McNicholas. West Chester got the festivities started fast with two quick tries by
Christelle Adikpeto and
Ashlyn Wissler. After West Chester established a solid 31-7 lead, Mount St. Mary's attempted a comeback that fell short, giving the Golden Rams a 31-22 victory.
Grit and Grind
West Chester has become no stranger to tough, gritty battles. Of its last four victories, three were by less than nine points. On the road against a tough Davenport squad, toughness and resolve could be the difference maker.
Just Getting Warmed Up
Christelle Adikpeto (Abomey Calavi, Benin/Moon Area) is in the midst of an excellent rookie season, ranking first on the team in trys with 8 for 40 points on the year, which is second, trailing only
Emma Davies (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett), who leads with 59 points with 16 conversions, four penalty kicks, and a trio of trys.
Offensive Firepower
West Chester outscored its opponents 246-58 during its previous five wins, including a historic 111-0 victory over Kutztown on the road earlier in October.
On the Road
West Chester will head on the road to Michigan, playing away for the first time since their October 12
th bout with Navy that resulted in a 22-19 victory. West Chester is 3-2 away from home this season but enters play on a three-game winning streak with wins over New Haven, Kutztown, and Navy.
Series History
West Chester has yet to pick up its first win against Davenport, but it may be positioned well to earn it today as Davenport is 0-2-1 at home this year.
Scouting Davenport
Davenport enters the playoffs looking to repeat as NIRA Division II champions, after last season's 91-5 rout of Lander University. Davenport heads into this matchup with a 3-2-1 record, and a previous victory over West Chester this season. The Panthers fell to AIC by a 40-31 to end the regular season as the third seed, while the Yellow Jackets secured the top seed in the Tournament.
With a Win
This match will determine who moves on in the NIRA Tournament, with the winner playing the winner of top-seeded American International College Vs. Frostburg State.
