Overcoming horrible weather, a last minute change of field, and a very good Austin Blacks side NYAC have claimed the DI title with a 44-39 win. With a considerable lightening delay pushing the women's DI final late into the night and both Austin and NYAC having flights they needed to catch, the decision was made to push the match to Field 2 at Infinity Park which meant that it wouldn't be streamed. While that is disappointing it shouldn't take away from the great match played between both sides.
Austin were underdogs heading into the match but they didn't play like it early showing great attack while taking advantage of a sluggish NYAC. Only six minutes in Austin took a 7-0 lead when Riekert Hattingh scored. A great chip and chase that was recovered by Pierce led to their second try before Hattingh picked up his second to give Austin a 21-0 lead with 20 minutes gone.
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Finally getting themselves into the match NYAC ran in two tries, the first through Henry Tobias and the second through James Denise. Denise's try came after NYAC went through several phases near the line. Justin Hundley and Pat Sullivan then traded penalties and the score sat at 24-15.
NYAC inched even closer a few minutes later as Quentin Pradere made a break through cut through the Austin defense for the score. They then took the lead after another breakaway. The breakaway itself didn't lead to the try but a few phases later Kyle Granby was able to pick up the try. With that NYAC led 27-24. It looked like they would take that lead into the half but a break of their own from Austin saw Zach Mizell restore the advantage at 29-27.
Like in the first half Austin got out to a hot start in the second that saw them take a double digit lead. A penalty brought Austin to within five meters of the line allowing Ty Terrazone to score. Only a few minutes later Curtis Chaffin put in another kick through the defense that he recovered himself before passing to David Comerford scoring. With roughly 20 minutes left Austin led 39-27.
Still, NYAC kept coming. Just three minutes after Comerford's try Eagles South American tourist Al McFarland scored and Justin Hundley converted to bring the score within five. The match then took a final turn in favor of NYAC when Austin's Tim Howard was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements. McFarland picked up his second try at the same time to give NYAC a 41-39 lead. Hundley then hit a final penalty to bring the score to 44-39.
In the end it was the depth and experience of NYAC that was the difference. Players like McFarland, Hundley, and Mike Petri (who was named MVP) gave the team a steadying influence when things were against them. That said, Austin deserve a lot of credit for playing extremely well and nearly taking the tournament. They proved they aren't a team to be taken lightly.