ST. CHARLES, Mo.—The reigning D1 Elite (now known as D1A) champions traveled to face long-time rival Lindenwood on Saturday and emerged victorious in a dramatic 29-24 contest. It marks Life U's first win on Lindenwood's home turf in seven years—a testament to the intensity and significance of this storied rivalry in collegiate women's rugby.
From the opening whistle, Life U showed its attacking intent. An early try in the 4th minute gave the Running Eagles a 7-0 lead, setting the tone for a back-and-forth battle. Lindenwood refused to yield, closing the gap multiple times throughout the match, but Life U consistently found a way to stay ahead. By halftime, the Running Eagles held a 17-10 advantage.
 
The second half saw Life U build a more commanding lead, going up 29-10 by the 60th minute. Yet Lindenwood remained relentless, driving over for two late tries and narrowing the score to 29-24 by the 78th minute. With the home crowd roaring behind them, Lindenwood pressed for a final breakthrough, but Life U's defense stood firm to seal the long-awaited victory.
 
Head Coach Ryszard Chadwick praised his team's resolve in a challenging environment:
 
"What a performance. Lindenwood is not an easy venue to win at—they make it hostile, and playing on a football field throws you off a little, but such is the nature of the game. We showed great intent in attack and were unlucky not to build a bigger lead. Lindenwood didn't quit, though, and kept knocking on the door; we very nearly let them in toward the end. We have things we need to work on, of course, which we will focus on, but overall, I'm very happy with the fight and resilience the team showed to get the result we wanted."
 
With the triumph, Life U not only reasserts its status as a top contender in collegiate women's rugby but also writes another memorable chapter in the rivalry with Lindenwood. Next up, the Running Eagles will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the remaining fixtures of the D1A season.