Izzy Manu from the 2019 DI Elite National Championship against Life / Photo: Alex Ho, hoiho.net
Lindenwood University began the 2021 DIA season with two wins against visiting Life University: 24-15 in the JV contest, followed by a 39-17 decision for varsity. The teams will see each other in two weeks, as the Lions travel to Marietta, Ga., for the rematch.
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Less than a minute into the match, Eti Haungatau powered into the corner for the Lions’ first try, and vice captain and lock Natalie Gray converted for the 7-0 lead. The capped 7s and 15s Eagle slotted into inside center and was influential, as expected, on both sides of the ball. The freshman fit nicely into the Lions’ brand of physicality, epitomized by teammates like Nina Tuilaepa and Izzy Manu.
Haungatau was one of three Rugby World Cup Performance Squad members on the field. Lindenwood prop Sam Tancredi and Life flanker Saher Hamdan are in the Top 51. Hamdan was arguably the most influential player for Life, and was so good poaching, intercepting and stripping possession. Hamdan, who is training as a hooker at the USA level, helped negate some early offsides penalties.
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Life had the edge in the scrum, and once the Running Eagles realized that advantage, they started opting for the set piece. Life capitalized inside Lindenwood’s 22, drawing a short-arm penalty in the scrum. No. 8 Kate Buzby attempted to go quickly but was called back to the mark, but even with that reset, the sophomore somehow barreled through a static defense not quite ready for the north-south charge. Jess Keating missed the off-center conversation for the 7-5 scoreline.
Life got into some penalty trouble as the first quarter neared. Offsides issues at the breakdown allowed Gray to add three points, and then Makayla Lowe was yellow-carded for not rolling away. But Life didn’t slow. The forwards launched a ferocious series at the line, and Saher eventually dove over the line from in close. The teams were knotted at 10.
It’s uncanny. When Lindenwood feels threatened, or that it’s relinquishing control, the team is so good about rallying, immediately. Tancredi poached possession and a penalty followed. Richelle Stephens and Caring De Freitas wrapped around the weak side of the scrum, and the fullback powered to the 5m. McKenna Strong got involved and nearly scored, and then plucky scrumhalf Morgan Freeman picked-and-dove over the line. Gray’s conversion was good, and Lindenwood retook the lead, 17-10.
The final 5-10 minutes of the first half were manic, in that the teams traded possession so quickly. The teams punished slow support to the tackle, intercepted well telegraphed offloads, and surprised ballcarriers with a decisive strip. All of this action occurred in Life’s end, and when the buzzer sounded, Lindenwood let loose a bit. Demi Allen gathered a cross-field kick on the wing and moved it quickly to De Freitas, who won the race to the corner, 22-10 in the break.
The forwards dominated the first half and McKenna Strong looked good for the first try of the second half, if it weren’t for a solid chase tackle that dislodged the ball. Lindenwood put a good shove on the 5m scrum, which was reset for going 90. Just when it was looking dangerous for Life, the Lions gave up another penalty in the scrum and Hamdan took off as soon as the official’s hand went into the air. The ball smartly moved wide and found substitute wing Adrionna Duncan on the sideline. The wing made it Lindenwood’s 45 meter before De Freitas corralled her into touch.
The passage of play saw the Life backs work the ball, and then the subsequent lineout allowed Lindenwood to stretch its legs. The set piece was a really nice platform for the backs to play with pace, but the wings weren’t able to get around or through the outside defense, so there was some slowdown on the sideline.
But overall, Lindenwood had more possession and more opportunity to apply its attack. Near the 55-minute mark, De Freitas scored her second try (27-10). Approximately 10 minutes later, Manu got her side moving forward with a big power run, and when the ball moved to the backs, the Life defense curled around Haungatau. The center quickly got the ball to captain Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru, who powered to the line. From the recycle, reserve Moira Dillow dove over: 32-10.
Life kept fighting, and quickly after Dillow’s try, the Running Eagles sent nicely timed passes wide to Duncan, who had the legs to get past the entire defense for a 70m try. Jess Keating hit the conversion, 32-17.
As Lindenwood is wont to do, the home team scored right away. Once the team was in scoring position, Haungatau and Tarau-Peehikuru pinned the defense before releasing Taina Scott with a finishing pass. The wing scored on her first touch of the ball. Stephens was about to take the conversion kick when the score was ruled a penalty try for a high tackle: 39-17.
There were still 10 minutes to play and both sides kept pushing – it’s been nearly a year since the last regulation 15s game! The highlight had to be De Freitas cover tackle on a Life breakaway. What almost looked like nonchalance, the fullback so calmly closed the distance and perfectly planted a tackle that drove the would-be try scorer into touch at the 1m. It’s the confidence that comes with international play.
These games gave both teams lots of information, about themselves and each other. Fellow DIA league mates BYU, Central Washington and Penn State were certainly taking notes as well, and the March 6 rematch will offer even more insight into adjustments and season outlook.