BOYDS, Md. - The Norwich University women's rugby team capped off a historic season with an inspiring finish at the 2025 Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) Women's Premier Cup, earning a thrilling 22-15 victory over Adrian College on Sunday to close national tournament play at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

The Cadets, making their first national 7s tournament appearance since 2015, battled some of the nation's top programs over the two-day competition.

Norwich opened play on Saturday against top-seeded American International College (AIC), falling 53-0 in their first-round matchup.  The Yellow Jackets, semifinalists a year ago, showcased their veteran prowess from the outset.  The Cadets then faced Bowdoin College in the Bowl bracket, where Bowdoin's high-pressure attack handed Norwich a 32-0 defeat to close the opening day of action.

Regrouping overnight, the Cadets entered Sunday's Shield bracket determined to finish strong.  Facing St. Bonaventure to open the day, Norwich showed great resilience, trading scores and battling throughout before falling, 32-10.  Kiley O'Brien (Kingston, Mass.) and Leslie Malin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) each dotted down a try for five points apiece to pace the offense.  After trailing 17-0 at halftime, Norwich cut the deficit to 17-5 early in the second half before the Bonnies answered with a late surge.

In their tournament finale, the Cadets rose to the occasion against Adrian College, securing an exhilarating 22-15 victory.  Shannon Hobbs (Burlington, N.C.) piloted the attack with two early tries, while Malin and Kate Desautels (Rutland, Mass.) each added critical scores.  With time winding down and the match tied at 15-15, Desautels powered across the try line for the go-ahead score, before Octavia Crawford (Shelburne Falls, Mass.) calmly slotted the conversion kick to seal the emotional win.

The victory marked Norwich's first win in a national 7s tournament since their triumph over AIC at the 2015 ACRA 7s National Tournament, punctuating an unforgettable return to the national stage.

Brown University went on to capture the CRC Women's Premier Cup title, defeating Army, 19-7, in the championship match.

With Sunday's success, the Cadets closed the 7s season with a 9-6-1 record, a fitting end to a year that saw the program claim the Providence 7s Tournament title, compete fiercely at the CRC Qualifier, and represent Norwich University with pride on the biggest stage in collegiate rugby.