2018 sevens write up
The U.S. Air Force Academy won the fall D1 title in 15s in 2016 and several overall women's D1 championships in the early 2000s. This time the Zoomies took home the 2018 Women's Open Sevens title, blasting through their opening pool games on Saturday. In pool play, after shutting out Queen's University and Sam Houston State, Air Force had to battle Chico State and emerged victorious 19-14, thanks to Olufunmilayo Akinlosotu's late try.
It was the same story in the knockout rounds. A blistering 41-0 shutout of Texas A&M set up a rematch with Chico State, which had ousted Princeton 36-5. The finals the teams traded tries to a 12-10 Chico State lead at halftime. Sara Cook's try put Air Force ahead 15-12 only for the Wildcats to retake the lead when Darby McFall went over. As time expired, though, AFA did it again and Jessica Beyer scored to win it all for the Zoomies.
Here is the write up:
Glendale, CO.- Air Force scored as time expired in a game with five lead changes to knock off Chico State and claim the 2017/18 USA Rugby College 7s National Championship.
The Championship match was as good a game as you could have asked for. Two top teams went at each other from start to finish, with the result only being confirmed by the referees final whistle. Air Force got on the board first through Jessica Bayer in the first two minutes. Initially it looked like they may have run away with it, as they dominated possession and territory. However, Chico drew level, thanks to a sensational individual effort from, one of their outstanding players of the tournament, Stefani Bergerhouse. Air Force came right back to reassert themselves and retake the lead. Again Chico answered, this time through Darby McFall who had been scintillating all weekend taking much of the work load for her team. At half Chico State lead by two, 12-10.
The second half opened up in an arm wrestle, teams went back and forth between the borders of each other's 22s but neither could penetrate either defensive line. That was, until the 12th minute when Air Force struck back to regain the lead. Given the way the second half had developed it seemed like that would be the winning score. Chico State had other ideas. McFall from well inside her own half orchestrated an amazing run showing of incredible speed, footwork and strength to edge ahead with only 30 seconds remaining. Again the game had one more twist in it. Beyer, who scored the first try of the match scored the final try of the match after the siren had sounded, as she streaked down the sideline and bumped off any defenders that were in her way.
Air Force started their day off in impressive fashion as they put Texas A&M to the sword and let the rest of their competition know early on that they were there to win. They put on an absolute show, placing 41 points on the board while also shutting the Aggies out. It was a team effort from start to finish, as six different players scored for them. Their opponent would be decided by the winner of Princeton and Chico State.
Princeton got out to an early lead against Chico State, but as Chico state would do all day, they responded in tremendous fashion. The semifinal victory came in large part to McFall. Chico State won 28-7 and McFall accounted for 23 of those points.
Women's Open Finals Results: Shield Final: Queens 36-0 Sam Houston State
Bowl Final: Bloomsburg 15-12 Kennesaw State
3rd Place Princeton 36-5 Texas A&M
Cup Final: Air Force 20-17 Chico State
Air Force 20 (Tries: Bayer 2, Cook, Other?)
Chico State 17
