UC Davis hammers Florida St., sets up D1AA Championship rematch with Notre Dame College
STANFORD, Calif. – UC Davis’s men’s rugby program will have the opportunity to play for a third consecutive D1AA National Championship after easily downing Florida State University in the April 22 Spring Championship Final at Stanford University.
Following Spring Playoff wins over Long Beach State and Grand Canyon University in the Quarterfinals and Semifinals, respectively, the Aggies had the luxury of remaining close to home for the Spring Championship Final at Steuber Rugby Stadium, whereas the Seminoles had to travel across the country. Close proximity or not, the reigning National Champions proved the better outfit during its 60-5 victory.
Tries by Jacob Wright, Joshua Farnsworth and Guilherme Maia Silva built a 17-0 lead just 20 minutes into the match, before Florida State got on the board after being awarded a penalty try. A second score by Maia Silva, however, would send the Aggies into halftime with a commanding, 24-5, advantage.
Five minutes after the second half restart, UC Davis inside center Ari Wargon made his way into the try zone for his second score of the D1AA Playoffs. The Aggies would really begin to open things up around the 50th minute, and produce five more tries over the final 30 minutes of the match, including three from reserve back Jared Woosley.
UC Davis now begins its preparation for a familiar foe – Notre Dame College. The two teams met in the 2016 D1AA National Championship game, when the Aggies won an edge-of-your-seat fixture. Like UC Davis, Notre Dame College appears to have only grown stronger in 2017. The Falcons beat Bowling Green in the Fall D1AA Championship in December to claim its place in the May 6 D1AA National Championship.
The D1AA Final between Notre Dame College and UC Davis will kickoff at 11 a.m. ET and air live on The Rugby Channel. Tickets for the May 5-6 USA Rugby College 15s National Championships at Life University in Marietta, Ga. can be purchased here.
