Several league-deciding games in women’s DI college were cancelled this weekend due to weather, but one time-honored matchup in the Midwest did come off: Ohio State v Michigan. Although the result might not have been the one you’d expect.

Current Midwest champion Michigan fell 41-14 to Ohio State.

“Michigan is a tough opponent and these games are always hard fought,” OSU coach Philip Payne said. “They are well coached and disciplined, and they will bounce back and be tough in the upcoming playoffs. The Ohio State team is young; last year we took our lumps and we are now at the point that we are starting to play smart, team-oriented rugby.”

Michigan coach Herb Reich wasn't too perturbed by the loss. “We need to regroup and sort out some issues,” Reich said. “Ten freshmen in their fifth game takes a great deal of patience. They are learning to deal with pressure, and we have confidence in them. We stumbled last year against Indiana and were able to rebound, but we have some work to do if we are to defend our Midwest title.”

The key to this game was turnovers. OSU used its size to dominate the scrums and breakdowns. In the open field, No. 8 Mary Jo Reddy and tighthead prop Brittany Latham devastated the defense on attack and kept the team of the front foot to help set up the backs. The halfback pairing of Stephanie Bowers and Corrine Stillman kept the tempo fast paced and both directed a balanced game.

When the ball did work wide, sophomore wing Courtney Milon took care of the rest. Milon is incredibly fast and elusive in traffic, and that combo worked out to four tries on the day.

“She is destined for bigger things on a bigger stage,” Payne said.

“She’s a faster version of Tyra McGrady,” Reich added. “She’s not quite as polished yet but a real homerun threat every time she touches the ball.”

With the win, OSU has overtaken Michigan as the number one team in the Midwest’s Eastern Conference. Both are 4-1 with 20 points, but OSU’s point differential of 93 compared to Michigan’s 65 has shot the team to the top.

“As a coach these total-team wins make me love what I do,” Payne concluded. “I could not be prouder. Our team has matured enough now to realize that this game is over and we have still a lot to learn as a team and several hard games ahead.”

In other Eastern Conference news, Indiana defeated Purdue 39-7, and Notre Dame ended its regular season with a 3-2 record after beating Michigan State 24-17. Michigan State took an early lead, but center Ashley Okonta and Natalie Branch were able to dot down a try apiece for the 12-5 lead.

Kayla Bishop converted that first-half momentum into another try, and Amelia Vojt slotted her second conversion of the day for the 19-5 lead.

The Spartans rallied and took advantage of some disorganized defense by offloading in contact and keeping the Irish scrambling in retreat. Two tries and a conversion pulled Michigan State to within two points, but Okonta gave her side some breathing room with a final try, 24-17.