NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's rugby team is headed back to the national stage for the first time in nearly a decade, having earned an at-large bid to the 2025 Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) Women's Premier Cup.

The Cadets will enter the 16-team tournament as the No. 8 seed in the East Region and square off against top-seeded American International College (AIC) in the opening round on Saturday, Apr. 26, at 9:00 a.m. at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.  All tournament matches will be streamed live on The Rugby Network and YouTube.

This marks the program's first national 7s tournament appearance since May 2015, when Norwich advanced to the ACRA 7s National Championship game.  The Cadets defeated Navy, Harvard, Harvard Crimson, and American International College twice, before falling to Army in the final, 22-7.

Since returning from their spring break tour of Ireland, the Cadets' A Team have gone 8-3-1 in 7s competition.  After opening the season as runners-up at the Bentley University 7s Tournament, the Cadets turned in a dominant performance at the Providence College 7s Tournament in late March, winning the tournament with a 29-10 victory over the hosts in the final.

In early April, Norwich faced a highly competitive field at the CRC Qualifier hosted by Stonehill College, posting a 2-1-1 record.  The Cadets tied the United States Coast Guard Academy, 12-12, edged the University of Massachusetts Lowell, 5-0, and then fell to Roger Williams University before closing the tournament with a thrilling 25-24 victory over the University of Maine in the Bowl Match.

Led by second-year head coach and Norwich alum Baylee Annis '14, the Cadets head to Maryland prepared to compete at the highest level.

"This team has been readying for competing on a national stage for some time and we are eager to hit the pitch with a bang from the first kickoff," Annis said.  "Grit and grace have shaped the squad, and I look forward to seeing the dynamic connections play out on the field."

Norwich will be tested immediately against an AIC team that finished fourth at last year's CRC Premier Cup, reaching the semifinals after wins over Mount St. Mary's and Bowdoin.  The Yellow Jackets narrowly fell to eventual national runner-up Army, 15-12, before closing the tournament with a close loss to Navy in the third-place match.  Known for their speed and structure, AIC will bring one of the most experienced and well-rounded squads to the CRC field.

Coach Annis pointed to the balance of veteran leadership and rising talent as a key strength for the Cadets entering the tournament.

"Fans can look forward to a few new faces in junior Lillie Ells and first year Shenale Hadunnetthi Rannuluge and hard hits from seniors Elinah Liaina, Kayleen Koumoue, and Brooke Dembkoski," Annis said.  "Captain Shannon Hobbs and Assistant Captain Octavia Crawford are dynamic playmakers who have led this team to the Collegiate Rugby 7s Championship through absolute devotion to the team."

For Annis, the return to the CRC carries personal significance.  As a player, she helped guide Norwich to national titles, and was a part of several of Norwich's previous 7s nationals trips throughout the 2010s.

"The last time we were headed to a national championship, teammate Sophie Mundell and I were hitting the field as players.  It's a magical moment and an honor to be coaching this weekend together, and to be back here as a coach with a team I truly believe is better than we were," Annis said.  "I am truly honored to be with Norwich Rugby as a coach and have complete trust that they can echo the quality of rugby Norwich has long been known for."

Should the Cadets upset AIC, they would advance to Saturday's quarterfinal round to face the winner of No. 4-seed Bowdoin and No. 5-seed Wheeling.  The region also includes New Haven, St. Bonaventure, Army, and Mount St. Mary's.  In the West Region, Brown stands atop as the No. 1-seed, joined by Adrian, West Chester, Navy, Penn State, Frostburg State, Queens, and Southern Nazarene.  Semifinal and championship matches are scheduled for Sunday, Apr. 27.  Teams that fall in the first round will enter a consolation bracket and continue competing throughout the weekend.

After a season defined by growth, leadership, and a commitment to team-first rugby, Norwich heads to the CRC with a shot at national glory, and a chance to show that their return to the top has only just begun.