Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The Life University women's rugby team will return to the D1 Elite National Championship game once again after a 38-0 shutout victory over Central Washington at home Saturday afternoon.

The Running Eagles matched up with Central Washington in the D1 Elite National Semifinals where both teams were looking for a spot in the title match in Houston. Both teams came out extremely physical as neither team scored in the first 20 minutes of action. Susan Adegoke broke through for the first score of the match just after the 20 minute mark to give the Running Eagles a 5-0 lead.

The offense swung open as Adegoke began to find more space out on the wing as Brooklyn Vaifanua scored a try in the 32nd minute with a successful conversion from Nina Mason. A minute later, Jess Keating broke through and dotted a try down with another successful conversion from Mason to lead 19-0. Moments later Saher Hamdan found open space for her first try of the match with Mason slotting the conversion a minute before the halftime whistle. The Running Eagles led 26-0 at the break with three tries in a five-minute span.

15 minutes into the second half, Makayla Lowe found space on the edge of the ruck to score her lone try of the match. Hamdan dotted down her second of the match in the 71st minute off the line break as Adriana Coco Mendoza Silva picked up the successful conversion for the final score of 38-0.

Head coach Rosalind Chou shared her thoughts after the match stating, "We came out a bit undisciplined at the start. I think the team was just really excited to play and was a bit too eager in the contact area. Once we settled in we were able to string phases together and take advantage of some opportunities. I'm thrilled with the defensive effort. The whole squad has put in the work these past two weeks in preparation and it was great to utilize the whole bench. Now, we will set our sights on the next job."

The Running Eagles will match up with the Lions from Lindenwood in the D1 Elite National Championship. The matchup will take place on Saturday, April 30 in Houston, Texas at the Aveva Stadium with a start time of 5 PM EST.