PROVIDENCE, R.I. & DURHAM, N.H. - The Norwich University women's rugby team turned in another impressive weekend on the pitch in two different states, as the A Team (Norwich 1) dominated the Providence College 7s Tournament to claim the championship title, while the B Team (Norwich 2) battled through freezing rain and tough competition at the Scott Milley 7s Tournament at the University of New Hampshire.

Norwich 1 kicked off their tournament with a hard-fought 22-17 loss to host Providence College, but quickly regrouped to put together a dominant run throughout the rest of the day.  Brooke Dembkoski (Salem, N.H.), Siobhan O'Donnell (Queens, N.Y.), and Taina Negron (Melbourne, Fla.) tallied tries in the loss, while Shannon Hobbs (Burlington, N.C.) added a conversion kick.

The Cadets shut out the University of Massachusetts Lowell, 38-0, in a commanding bounce-back performance.  Kiley O'Brien (Kingston, Mass.) led the charge with two tries, while Madeline Ortiz (Lancaster, Calif.), Shenale Hadunnetthi Rannuluge (Flushing, N.Y.), Cameryn Jenkins (Monroe, Mich.), and Joey Abrantes (Massena, N.Y.) each found the try zone.  Jenkins, Abrantes, and Hobbs combined for four conversion kicks, capping an all-around dominant effort.

In a thrilling match-up against Middlebury College, Norwich 1 pulled off a 27-25 victory, clinched by a clutch conversion kick from first-time kicker Katherine Suarez (Gloucester City, N.J.).  Leslie Malin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) powered the offense with three tries, while Elinah Liaina (Killeen, Texas) and O'Donnell each added one.

With a championship on the line, the Cadets earned a decisive 29-10 rematch victory over Providence College to take home the tournament title.  Liaina led the attack with two tries, while Malin, Jenkins, and Hobbs each crossed the line.  Hobbs and Abrantes chipped in with crucial conversion kicks to seal the win.

Norwich's B Team (Norwich 2) fought through tough weather conditions and a competitive field at the Scott Milley 7s Tournament, picking up a gritty 22-7 win over Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) to cap their day.

The Cadets opened with a 15-5 loss to the University of New Hampshire (UNH) White, as Willow Armstrong (Easley, S.C.) scored the lone Norwich try.  They then faced a tough UNH Blue squad, falling 43-5, with Lilliana Goyette (Townsend, Mass.) crossing the try line.

Norwich 2 secured a hard-fought 17-17 tie against SCSU in their third match, showcasing an offensive surge with tries from Carlyan Vigbedor (Centreville, Va.), Lupe Chavez Linares (Yonkers, N.Y.), and Dejanae Foulkes (North Port, Fla.), while Goyette nailed a crucial conversion kick.

After a 20-10 loss to Plymouth State, where Armstrong and Vigbedor each added a try, Norwich 2 closed out the tournament with a strong 22-7 victory over SCSU.  Amanda Uggalla (Staten Island, N.Y.), Foulkes, Vigbedor, and Maddy Carbonneau (Littleton, N.H.) all contributed tries, with Vigbedor adding a conversion.  Carbonneau's try marked her first-ever score in a Norwich jersey.

Despite battling snow and freezing rain throughout the tournament, Vigbedor led the team in points with three tries and one conversion kick, while the squad gained invaluable experience against high-level competition.

Both Norwich sides will be in action again on Sunday, Apr. 6, with the A Team traveling to the Rugby Northeast 7s CRC Qualifier at Stonehill College, while the B Team competes in the annual Chris Munn 7s Tournament on Sabine Field at Norwich.

The Chris Munn 7s Tournament honors the legacy of Chris Munn '81, a former Norwich men's rugby player who battled ALS before passing away in 2020.  The event serves as a celebration of Norwich rugby's history and the resilience of the rugby community.