The Explorers finished their Fall 2008 season by finishing 3rd in the EPRU DII playoffs, earning the right to represent the EPRU in MARFU playoffs in the upcoming spring season. LSWR faced Shippensburg University, pushing the defending national champions in a 27-15 loss. La Salle refocused, regrouped and tended their wounds on Saturday night while preparing to take on Temple for third place. Despite numerous injuries, a slow start and a last minute scare, the Explorers beat Temple 20-15 to earn their spot in MARFU playoffs.

 La Salle started the weekend with the unenviable task of facing defending DII national champions Shippensburg. Due to injuries, LSWR had to be creative with their back triangle. Seniors Bridget O'Donnell (center) and Christina Foley (8-man) joined fullback Brittany McKenna in the back triangle. Shippensburg's potent kick and chase game was largely contained for duration of the contest thanks to their efforts.

Shippensburg, despite having their kicking game pressured, was able to find space wide and off of the base of the scrum, aided by the Explorers aggressive but often times suspect tackling. Shippensburg responded to La Salle's initial success by scoring 5 unanswered tries.

La Salle pushed Shippensburg early in the second half, playing the opening 15 minutes in Shippensburg's half. Stymied by Shippensburg's goal line stand, La Salle gave up two more tries with 15 minutes to go. La Salle refused to go away in the closing part of the half, pushing Shippensburg and earning two well deserved tries.

LSWR spent the evening recovering from the day’s intense match, eating team dinner and looking towards the next morning’s match versus Temple University. Sunday’s match was a physical affair that pitted two teams desperate to earn their spot in MARFU playoffs. Temple scored early in the half, going up 5-0. LSWR struggled to get their offense in gear during the first half but their excellent defensive pressure and work at the point of contact earned them two tries, leaving the game a 10-10 tie at the end of the first half.

LSWR came out of the break with fresh focus and total commitment to their game plan, pressuring Temple University from the early moments. Jess Bell was the key impact sub for the Explorers, igniting their vertical game and accelerating the pace of the forward attack. The Explorer’s found their rhythm, adding two tries, one by Bell, going into the final minutes of the second half.

Temple would not go quietly as a depleted La Salle back triangle struggled to contain their wide game. With less than ten minutes to go, Temple raced around the edge to touch down and bring the game within a single score. With time almost expired it seemed Temple was about to score again but had a key pass called back.

The Explorers locked down the rest of the game, using effective kicking and forward movement to kill the clock. La Salle will face a team TBD on March 21st in the quarterfinals of MARFU DII playoffs.