NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Norwich University women's rugby standouts
Carlyan Vigbedor (Centreville, Va.) and
Kate Desautels (Rutland, Mass.) have been selected to compete in the 2025 USA Rugby U23 All-Star 15s Tournament, continuing a growing legacy of Cadet representation at the national level.
Vigbedor, a rising senior, will suit up for the Mid-Atlantic All-Stars, while Desautels, who is now competing under her married name, Kate Berg, returns for a second consecutive appearance with the Northeast All-Stars. The tournament will be held from June 20-22 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Mass., home of Major League Rugby's New England Free Jacks.
The event brings together the top U23 talent in the country, with eight regional sides competing across two tiers of play. Vigbedor and the Mid-Atlantic squad are slated for Tier 2 competition, opening the weekend on Friday, June 20 at 12:45 p.m. against the Pacific South All-Stars. Desautels and the Northeast team will compete in Tier 1, beginning their campaign on Friday at 2:30 p.m. against the Pacific Northwest. All games will be livestreamed on USA Rugby's YouTube channel.
Both players add to a strong Norwich pipeline into the U23 event. Desautels (Berg) previously played in the 2024 edition alongside
Shannon Hobbs (Burlington, N.C.) and
Octavia Crawford (Shelburne Falls, Mass.), helping power the Northeast side to standout performances. Vigbedor now becomes the newest Cadet to earn a place on the national radar through this showcase opportunity.
Vigbedor recently wrapped up her junior season with the Cadets, emerging as a steady, physical force in the pack and one of the team's most consistent players. Her selection to the Mid-Atlantic roster marks another step forward in her development and reflects the depth of the program's talent.
Desautels, a 2025 graduate, remains active in the sport following a decorated career at Norwich. Her continued involvement at the U23 level highlights the lasting impact of the Cadet rugby experience and its reach beyond the collegiate setting.
In addition to the matches, players and coaches will participate in development sessions on Saturday with national team staff, making the event not only a competitive proving ground but also a critical step in the USA Rugby senior national team selection pathway.
Their selections are not only individual achievements but reflections of the strength and tradition of Norwich women's rugby, a program built on discipline, determination, and the pursuit of excellence at the highest levels of the game.
