Showdown vs. App State
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:05AM Across the south, matrix season is starting to wind down. Final games will be played over the next couple of weeks, and yet some of the winners have already been decided. Many teams have already established themselves as the team going to regionals, but not here, not in the NC Dogwood Division.
Appalachian State was moved from DI to DII this year, creating a stir among the NC teams. App played their first three games demolishing the competition, never allowing more than 7 points scored against them in one game. UNC Charlotte has done the exact same thing. The two teams will face off in the final matrix game on Saturday February 25 11am at App. There is no real history between the teams, the last time they faced off was in the fall of 2009 when UNC Charlotte was first starting out.
Going into Saturday, both teams are tied in points for matrix, so the winner of this game, takes it all. The winner goes to regionals, the winner represents NC for the south, the winner gets the glory. And the loser, well the loser just gets to stand back and watch.
Both teams have something to prove. Appalachian State is proving its ability after moving to DII. Charlotte is proving it belongs back at Nationals. If you skipped a game or two this season, waiting to watch some action, this is the game you want to see. This is the game we'll be talking about for years to come.
Kickoff: 11am on Saturday February 25, 2012
Location: Kidd-Brewer Stadium 270 Stadium Dr, Boone, NC 28607
UNCC Women's Rugby
The stage of the game of the year was set with a temperature of 27 degrees, snow flurries, and a pitch location of the App State Football Stadium.
App has arguably the best kicker in the south, and of 5 penalty kicks, she made three. Charlotte fought hard, but the penalties won the game. There were numerous moves up field by both teams, but there was never a break through. Late in the first half, App scored a try off the weak side at the 5 yard line, but Charlotte just couldn't come back. Evenly matched, both teams played a lot of defense. In the end, App won 14-0 and will be going to regionals as their first year back in DII.
Charlotte had nothing to lose, they have proven themselves as a great team in the south DII and will only build into a stronger team going forward.