Women's rugby won its third straight CRC title with a 10-7 victory over Life University at the CRC May Madness Sevens tournament at NOLA Gold Mine MLR Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana.  

In a span of two days May 29-30, the Lions won four straight games at the event, which featured 14 different teams in two separate brackets in a format that required competitors to win in order to advance to the next round towards the final.    

Lindenwood shut out both of its opponents on Saturday, taking the first match against the Northern Lights All-Stars 38-0, and then stopping the University of Iowa 54-0.  On Sunday, the Lions faced an undefeated Northern Iowa squad in the semifinals and continued their shutout streak with a 44-0 victory to set up the final against the D1 Elite Conference Running Eagles.  Lindenwood took an early lead and then held off Life down the stretch in a gutsy performance.  

At the end of the event, senior Lion Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru received the tournament Most Valuable Player Award.

Head Coach Billy Nicholas summed up the CRC and the season. 

"We really enjoyed being a part of the CRC's again and getting the chance to compete in a culminating tournament at the end of the season," he said.  "The team continues to set high standards and work hard to pursue them and that is a testament to each one of our alumni and active players that helped pave the way and lay that foundation down in previous years.

"Lastly, I just want to say how much we are grateful for all the support from our families, friends, university, and past Lions and their families.  All the messages and thoughts that were sent were a blessing.  We really felt that support this past weekend and it helped drive us.  Thank you!" 

The women's rugby varsity sevens team finished the season undefeated against collegiate competition, with the only loss coming in a one-score match against the Colombia Senior National Olympic Team.  The Lions also finished undefeated in XV's competition for the third consecutive year.