NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's rugby team is bound for the national stage this weekend, qualifying for the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) Women's Division II 15s National Tournament and earning a spot in the Sweet 16 round in Springfield, Mo.

The Cadets will open play against Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the West Region pod on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2:00 PM EST at the Allison SportsTown complex.  Regardless of Saturday's result, Norwich will return to the pitch on Sunday, Nov. 16, for either a quarterfinal or consolation matchup.  A victory over Eau-Claire would send the Cadets to face the winner of Texas-San Antonio at 4:00 p.m.  A two-win weekend would secure a berth in the national semifinals, scheduled for Dec. 6-7 in Houston, Texas.

This fall marks the latest milestone in a steady resurgence under third-year Head Coach Baylee Annis '14, first-year assistant Andrew Denson, and third-year assistant Soph Mundell '15.  The Cadets closed the regular season with a 3-3 record, featuring lopsided victories over the University of Vermont (41-25), the University of Rhode Island (73-5), and the University of Maine (44-12).

Despite setbacks against perennial powerhouses United States Coast Guard Academy, Roger Williams University, and the University of New Hampshire, Norwich remained strong throughout the season and competed with top 20 programs in the NCR Division II standings.  The Cadets also participated in the CRC Women's Premier Cup this past spring in 7s competition, reflecting their growing national presence in both formats of the game.

Several veterans have been instrumental in Norwich's return to postseason play.  Senior backline defender Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.) delivered a breakout campaign in her first 15s season, boasting a 100% tackle success rate while averaging 15 tackles and two turnovers per match.  She was recently recognized as an NCR Academic All-American.  At flyhalf, senior captain Octavia Crawford (Shelburne Falls, Mass.) continues to set the tone with her tactical kicking game, averaging 50-100 meters gained per match through drop kicks, punts, and chips.  A U23 Northeast All-Star and two-time Academic All-American, Crawford also holds a 90 percent tackle success rate and has been a steady leader across all phases.

Senior captain Alyssa Gioia (Stamford, Conn.) has anchored the forward pack with aggressive carries and consistent defensive pressure, averaging between 55 and 90 meters gained per match.  A top five point scorer in the Rugby Northeast Conference this fall, Gioia adds strength in set pieces and averages 2-4 poaches per match.  Junior No. 8 Carlyan Vigbedor (Centreville, Va.) enters the weekend as the region's leading try scorer with 60 points this fall, regularly posting 150-200 meters per game while remaining a consistent defensive contributor.  Her accolades include selections to the U23 Mid-Atlantic All-Star Team and the Wisconsin Badgers U23 Select Side.

With postseason stakes rising, Annis emphasized the full-team depth that has developed throughout the fall.

"We have been preparing for this opportunity all year and we are ready to showcase what we can do on a national stage," Annis said.  "This fall we tested our roster depth, showcased dynamic attack, and our eagerness for contact.  We have two U23 Regional All-Stars, including captain flyhalf Octavia Crawford and No. 8 Carlyan Vigbedor.  Rising rugby talent including first-year second row Hannah Dietz and wing Isabelle Brandt, sophomores and dynamic front row duos Isabelle Orta and Sophia Taylor round out our striking attack from captain Alyssa Gioia and tenacious scrumhalf Lupe Chavez Linares.  Norwich Rugby is ready."

The 2025 campaign adds to a decade of postseason consistency for Norwich, including a third-place finish at the ACRA Division I National Championship in 2015, back-to-back third-place results in the NIRA Division III championship in 2016 and 2023, and appearances in both the 7s and 15s national tournaments within the calendar year.  The Cadets' spring tour included stops at the CRC Division I Premier 7s tournament and U23 All-Star competitions, with multiple student-athletes selected as top-100 players in the country.

The winner of the West Region will face the winner of the Midwest Region, which includes Northwestern, Binghamton, Cincinnati, and Bowling Green.  In the East Region, Coast Guard stands atop, joined by Marist, Roger Williams, and Fairfield, while the South Region comprises of Vassar, Towson, Coastal Carolina, and William & Mary.  The national semifinal and championship matches will be held in Houston, Texas, over Dec. 6-7.

With a veteran core, tested leadership, and a roster sharpened by national competition, Norwich heads into the CRC 15s National Tournament with momentum, experience, and a clear sense of purpose as they look to secure a spot in the Division II Final Four.