Women’s rugby heads to the final four to defend championship title

Susan Fanelli, Sports Editor

With its national title on the line, Tulane women’s club rugby will head to the final four of Division II college rugby for the second year in a row.

On the road back to its repeat attempt, the team played in the round of eight against South Carolina on Sunday. After beating the Gamecocks 15-12, on April 22 the Green Wave will be heading to Palo Alto, California to face off in the final four against Grand Canyon University.

If the Wave beats Grand Canyon, they will face off against either UC-Irvine or Kennesaw State in the championship game on April 23. They have the chance to win a national championship after choosing not to attend last year due to academic and monetary constraints.

Tulane rejoined league competition in the 2015-16 season after a 10-year hiatus. It made up for the lost time by going undefeated in the league and beating Salisbury University 53-31 to win the DII spring championship title.

To fund its trip to the final four and championship games, Tulane women’s rugby created a GoFundMe page. Of the $20,000 goal, $4,518 has been raised in only two days of the fundraiser’s creation.

“Last year, we could not have made it to California without the help of family, friends, ruggers and other supporters,” the fundraiser states. “For everyone who has come to a game or has followed along with the live streams, we thank you.”

During last year’s championship run, women’s rugby also created a GoFundMe to send the team to nationals. Of the $15,000 goal, the team raised more than $9,500 for the trip.

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