Season Recap & Nationals Preview with Alex Goff

🔑 Key Takeaways:Nearly 40% of D1A college rugby games were decided by 9 points or fewer, showing rising parity.St. Ignatius (Cleveland) and Charlotte Cardinals are strong favorites heading into nationals, but several contenders could shake up the field.Playing tougher schedules, attending camps/tours, and focusing on long-term player development are critical for teams seeking national recognition.1. College Rugby Season RecapCal vs. Life: Cal wins D1A National ChampionshipNo team went undefeated in D1ANearly half of top matchups were close contestsNotable program improvements: UCSB, Cal State Long Beach, Mount St. Mary’sEmphasis on growing domestic talent alongside international athletes2. High School Rugby LandscapeSt. Francis (NorCal), Torrey Pines & Cathedral Catholic (SoCal) maintained rankings despite early season endSt. Ignatius (Cleveland) showed dominance across top-tier matchupsSurprise risersNorCal Premier League: Over one-third of games decided by close margins3. How Teams Can Level UpPlay tougher opponents—even at the risk of losingEncourage players to join select sides and off-season campsCreate player exchange/tour opportunities (e.g. Oliver Kirk’s NZ tour)Develop players across all age groups, not just high school varsity4. Nationals PreviewClub Tier 1: Charlotte Cardinals are the team to beatSingle School: St. Ignatius (Cleveland) enters as favorite, with Herriman in close pursuitTier 2 Dark Horse: Fort Hunt (VA) highlighted for their explosive and unpredictable style5. Next Steps for Coaches & ProgramsReview schedules to include out-of-region matches for national exposurePromote player participation in camps, academies, and toursSupport ongoing growth of competitive rugby across all U.S. regions  worldrugbyshop.comrugbynorcal.orggoffrugbyreport.com