Seattle Orcas Head to Pacific Super Regionals — Both Men's and Women's Teams

Women's D1: Seattle vs. San Diego Surfers

The Seattle Women's XV enters the Pacific Super Regionals as the undisputed PNW Champions and as two-time National title holders, having won back-to-back national championships in 2015 and 2016.

Their opponent is no slouch. The San Diego Surfers finished second in Southern California after an undefeated regular season, falling only in the SoCal final to the Santa Monica Dolphins. San Diego is a seasoned playoff program — formerly part of the Women's Premier League — and most recently won the D1 national title in 2023 when they took down NOVA 45-22. Last year, the Surfers came within a whisker of the final, losing 29-26 to the eventual National Champions, the Utah Vipers. With Utah not in this bracket, San Diego arrives in serious contention.

Seattle's path to this point is unique. The Orcas are the only Women's D1 side in the Pacific Northwest, which means they enter as regional champions by standing. But anyone who thinks that makes them less battle-tested isn't paying attention. Seattle runs a competitive hybrid D1-D2 side across the PNW while simultaneously fielding a premier-level side in the BC Premiership in Canada. They competed in last year's Pacific Super Regional final. The competitive edge is real — they've just been sharpening it on different stone.

This is a semifinal between two serious programs with championship pedigrees. The bracket is wide open. Seattle has every reason to believe this is their year to make another national run.

4/24 12 pm pt 2 WD1 San Diego Seattle - WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

Men's D1: Seattle vs. OMBAC

The Seattle Men's XV also earned their place at the Pacific Super Regionals as Pacific Northwest Champions, going 4-0 through the PNW regular season against recently-promoted Boise United. The competition was real — only one of those four matches was a blowout. The other three were tight contests where Seattle held on by a combined 24-point differential over three games. Boise pushed them. Seattle answered.

Standing across from them on Friday night is OMBAC — the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club out of San Diego, SoCal Champions, and one of the most decorated programs in American club rugby history with multiple national titles dating back to the 80s and 90s. OMBAC earned their top seed by edging Belmont Shore 23-17 in the SoCal final, coming back from behind in the second half to score two converted tries and eventually pull away.

This matchup is a rematch. In last year's Pacific semifinal, OMBAC topped Seattle 45-40 in a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest. That result sent OMBAC forward and knocked Seattle out. Seattle hasn't forgotten.

And Seattle's run in recent years is worth remembering. Just two years ago, the Men's XV reached the National Final Four — the semifinals of the national championship — where they fell to the Austin Blacks in heartbreaking fashion, rallying from a massive halftime deficit to tie it up before Austin scored in the final seconds. That's a team that can play with anyone in the country, and they know it.

The rematch narrative writes itself. Seattle wants that Pacific title back. OMBAC wants to prove the 2024 result wasn't a fluke.

4/24 2:00 PM pt 1 MD1 OMBAC Seattle - WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

What This Moment Means for the Club

Having both the Men's and Women's XV competing at Pacific Super Regionals in the same year is something the entire Seattle Rugby Club family can be proud of. These players have put in the work — through the PNW season, through BC Premiership competition, through tight wins and hard-fought losses — and now they're representing Seattle on the biggest regional stage.

The club is fully behind them. Whether you've been an Orca for years or you're brand new to this community, this is your team. This is our moment.

All matches take place on Friday evening, with both the Men's D1 and Women's D1 semifinals on the schedule. Stay close to our channels for updates, results, and everything leading into what we expect to be a deep tournament run for Seattle.

Let's go, Orcas.

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