NIRA Finals Bring Improving Challengers to Face Championship Regulars
Can the old guard hold on?
Saturday's slate of games include the NIRA DI semifinals, with three-time defending champions Harvard hosting AIC and Dartmouth, finalists in four of the last five NIRA DI seasons (winning twice) hosting Army West Point.
So Harvard and Dartmouth are auld enemies and the old guard. What about the other two?
NIRA DI Playoffs All But Confirmed
The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association playoffs are pretty much set.
Only one game is supposedly on the schedule that could affect the standings, and that's 2-2 AIC vs 0-5 Queens in a rescheduled fixture. If Queens wins that match, then Lindenwood could end up in the semifinals.
Some Questions Answered in Penultimate NIRA DI Week
Three teams said something to us in NIRA's DI, and here's what they said.
We're Pretty Good
That was what West Point said as they clamped down on Lindenwood defensively and won 12-5.
Lindenwood put on the pressure early and led 5-0 after Ella Elorid scored. So the Lions were up 5-0 after 15 minutes, but Lindenwood would not score again.
AIC Edges SHU, and the NIRA Standings are in Turmoil
AIC's dramatic 33-32 win over Sacred Heart has put the Pioneers in a very difficult position in a search for a playoff spot.
At the same time, AIC has new life for a semifinal question.
Harvard Women Make Statement With Road Win
Harvard took clear control of NIRA DI Saturday with a very strong second half to beat Lindenwood on the road.
The two teams, who last met in the NIRA DI final in 2025, played very tight in the opening stanza, with
Lindenwood drew first blood when Allison Honeycutt scored in the 12th minute. But Harvard came right back with Morgan Gibson went over to tie it 5-5.
