Final Four Showdown: Colby, MiraCosta, Endicott, and Mines Advance to Division III Semifinals

BOYDS, MD — Saturday morning saw 16 teams turn to four still in the running for a Women’s Division III national title. Battling in Sunday’s semifinals are Endicott, Colorado School of Mines, Colby and MiraCosta College. 

Colby had a cold start, but pulled away with the opening-round win against Wisconsin - Platteville, 14-12. After a few hours' rest, the Mules defeated Nazareth, 31-22, with two tries coming from center Leila Gerry. 

Colby is set to meet MiraCosta in the semifinals. The Spartans showed their dominance with a smooth 27-5 win over Christopher Newport to start Saturday. Prop Heavenly Afaese was close to a hat-trick, scoring two tries and forcing a penalty try. MiraCosta had a tougher bout against Drury in the quarterfinals, but still came away with the victory, 26-15. 

Later in the morning, Endicott defeated Colorado College, 30-7, with wing Colleen Mitchell securing a hat trick. They faced a challenge against Niagara, but ultimately locked in the semifinal spot with a 17-12 victory.

Mines sealed a semifinal with wins over Loyola and East Stroudsburg to earn a meeting with Endicott on Sunday. In December, the Orediggers defeated Endicott in the Division III XVs final in Houston, putting on an extra special pressure to defeat the Gulls. 

Currently in the lead for tries and points is Molly Cancian of Baldwin Wallace with six and 30, respectively. The leader in conversions is Oredigger Ayana Mejorado with six.

The DIII national championship will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. All matches can be watched on NCR TV with the $19.99 weekend pass.