Lindenwood University is, as one DI Elite opponent put it, “the juggernaut that everyone is chasing.” In 2020, the St. Charles, Mo., team was looking to be the first to three DI Elite national championships (Penn State has won two, too) and was heading into the post-season with the number-one seed, when Covid-19 intervened. The semifinals were supposed to occur in Moraga, Calif., last weekend.
The Lions play a fun, dynamic game, and one of the most enjoyable aspects of their play is the celebration of the forwards. The pack has size, power and mobility, and they’re just as likely to make a line break, put away a wing or chase down a tackle. The backs, who are the more recognizable players given the Lions’ prowess in 7s, are speed and evasion; the forwards are power; and they meet in the middle with solid skills, creativity and connectivity.
In other words, Covid-19 is taking away one of the few opportunities the rugby community has to see these top teams play at their best, and that’s a loss for everyone. The shutdown is particularly tough for players like Marisa Hall, a lock and back row, who is graduating this spring with a degree in criminal justice and sociology.
The Minneapolis native played volleyball and ran track in high school, and then in 2015 picked up rugby with North Suburban and East Metro. The Park High School alumna made the Minnesota Tundra select side and caught the attention of Lindenwood recruiters.
“I instantly liked the physicality to the game,” Hall recalled first impressions. “I actually thought I would play volleyball in college until I found rugby. I knew I wanted to play at a higher level after playing for a couple teams and getting more involved with rugby.”
Hall arrived at Lindenwood in fall 2016 and was rehabbing a knee injury sustained the spring prior. That meant that much of freshman fall was spent with athletic trainers and strength-and-conditioning coaches. The first-year learned the plays and built understanding of the team’s systems, and contributed to the Lions’ spring 2017 post-season. Hall started at lock against Washington State in the Spring Round of 16, and Lindenwood advanced to its first DI Elite final against Penn State.
Senior Izzy Manu remembers that game well. The Fullerton, Calif., native was a freshman at the time and propped against a very experienced Penn State front row. The teams were tied at 25 with five minutes to go in the match, and then Penn State kicked a penalty for the 28-25 win.
“Many would think that it would be strange to pick one of our games that we lost, but my freshman-year championship game is by far my favorite memory, because in defeat I realized I had a team that would work to the last second on the clock and rugby sisters that supported each other even if the score was against us,” Manu explained. “I was empowered that game by teammates to make a difference as an athlete and a teammate on that field.”
That national final was the first of three title appearances for Manu, who started her rugby journey at age seven. Manu came up through Fullerton Youth Rugby, then South Bay, and played select side with the SoCal Griffins. She entered the USA Rugby age grade system at the high school level (USA U18s) and has also represented the USA U20s.
“It has been such an opportunity and pleasure to see Izzy grow so much as a player and person during her time at Lindenwood,” Lindenwood head coach Billy Nicholas lauded the senior. “She brings a massive amount of positive energy to our training sessions and matches. Izzy has been known to have a few highlight moments during our matches and is one of the most exciting players to watch with a ball in hand. She is admired by her peers and coaches for her on-field contributions and we know she will continue to do amazing things in her future.”
Hall and Manu returned for sophomore year in fall 2017. Hall was coming off a summer with Minneapolis, and led the senior team in points scored during the USA Rugby Club 7s National Championship. Unfortunately, Hall suffered a second knee injury in September 2017, essentially sidelining her for the season. Manu, however, stayed in rotation and helped Lindenwood to its first DI Elite national championship against Life University in spring 2018.
“I strive constantly on the field to better my communication with my teammates because it is natural to say that every single player on that field is a talented athlete, but creating a team is difficult,” Manu explained her role in building a stronger team game. “My team knows that if they need a hit, then I am always willing to give it, but it is the support of my teammates that finishes us in the try zone every single time. Because who wants to get hit by one of our players that is followed by an entire team?
“The difference about rugby to a lot of other sports is that we are only allowed to pass backwards to our teammates and we do not stop after being hit or dragged down,” Manu continued. “I pass backwards and it only pushes my teammates to work beyond where I left off. We are resilient in working in our game and it is so much more dangerous when there is a whole team that works non-stop in every phase to support each other and strive for something more on the field.”
Lindenwood picked up momentum and started the 2018-19 season with a big shutout win against Penn State. Hall was back to full strength and played in the loose forwards for that confidence-boosting opener.
“Marisa is all perseverance,” Nicholas praised the 22-year-old. “She came back from major ACL injuries in her playing career, and throughout each healthy semester in the program, she worked her way back into the lineup and was a consistent contributor. She brings a superb combination of speed, size and strength to the pitch for 15s and 7s.”
“I believe my coaches and teammates would say I am an extremely hard worker and coachable,” Hall added. “Being coachable is the best compliment because that is the only way to learn and get better. I think I contribute to the team game as I am always trying to support teammates on and off the field.”
Both Hall and Manu were regulars for the varsity 15s squad and featured in the 2019 DI Elite final against Life University. The Lions found themselves trailing for much of the first half and again in the second half, and both Hall and Manu played the role of impact sub perfectly. They injected a ton of energy and go-forward onto the pitch and against a senior-heavy Life pack. A rally followed and Lindenwood banked its second 15s title with a 36-19 victory.
“Being able to contribute to earning the 2019 D1 Elite National Championship title was a dream come true,” Hall enthused. “To come from behind and take the win was exhilarating and one of the best memories I have when it comes to rugby.”
As a senior, Hall entered the Collegiate All-American (now named “USA U23”) system and showed her range at a 7s camp in Chula Vista.
“The feedback I got from the coaching staff and the strength and conditioning coach was very helpful,” Hall noted. “Coaches tend to like my aggressiveness and my willingness to learn new things and take criticism. Just gaining more experience will be important to my development as a player.”
That development will now move into the senior arena, now that Hall’s career has prematurely ended. Hall was hoping to move to Washington, D.C., to play with Scion for the summer, but that stint is contingent on 7s happening.
College All-American 7s camp / Photo: Dave Clancy “It is sad that our senior year had to come to an end like this but I will cherish the memories I made at Lindenwood forever,” Hall closed. “I would like to thank our athletic trainers for always helping me with rehab and our strength and conditioning coaches for pushing me in the weight room. I thank our assistant coaches for giving me feedback, work-ons, and a lot of fitness! I thank our head coach, Billy, for all the opportunities he has given me and how much he has helped me grow as a player. Lastly, thank you to Pernell Witherspoon, Billi Patzius, and Suzanne Stoelting who are some amazing professors who genuinely care about their students. I always enjoyed going to their classes and learning from them!”
Manu has one more year of eligibility and is using it toward another year of rugby and an English Studies degree with minors in Gender Studies and American Studies. She then wants to get a masters from CSU Fullerton and become an English professor one day.
“In the meantime, I have aspirations in aiding students into higher education,” Manu explained her involvement with Fullerton’s community college. “[I] work with first-year students to get them on-board and set for their pursuits in higher education. I also have pursuits in solidifying a local club team in my hometown to continue the sport I love.”
The sport is in pause, but expect the engine that is Lindenwood rugby to be quietly revving. The coaches and players are eager to get back on the pitch, and the rugby community is equally excited for the return of some of the most exciting collegiate rugby being played today.
