CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Norwich University women's rugby program continued its spring 7s season this past weekend at the Boston College 7s Tournament, with the Varsity side posting a strong 2-1 record to secure a third-place finish over Division I-AA opponent the University of Connecticut, while the Junior Varsity squad made its season debut.

Norwich Varsity opened tournament play with an impressive 29-5 victory over Northeastern University, the 2025 Division I-AA national champions.  Senior captain Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.) and sophomore standout Dejanae Foulkes (North Port, Fla.) each recorded two tries to lead the offensive surge, while fellow freshman Morgan Zelenak added her first collegiate try.  Junior Carlyan Vigbedor (Centreville, Va.) contributed two successful conversion kicks to round out the scoring effort.

The Cadets faced another national champion in their second matchup, falling 45-17 to Roger Williams University, the reigning 2025 Division II titleholder.  Foulkes continued her strong tournament showing with two additional tries, while Zelenak crossed for another score as Norwich battled throughout the contest.

Norwich rebounded in the third-place match against against Division I-AA opponent the University of Connecticut, securing a 22-10 victory to close the Varsity portion of the tournament.  Senior Alyssa Gioia (Stamford, Conn.) led the effort with a try and conversion kick, while Vigbedor and junior Leslie Malin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) each added tries.  Freshman Joy Lu (Tucson, Ariz.) also contributed a try to cap the Cadets' balanced scoring performance.

The Junior Varsity side competed in its first matches of the spring season, gaining valuable experience despite setbacks against Roger Williams University JV (38-0) and Endicott College JV (30-0).

In the opener, eight athletes new to rugby, including Ashley Cando Velasco, Petra Forchap, Lily Hernandez, Kenna McFadden, Peyton Putney, Madison Stroud, and Cameron Wishart, took the field for the first time against a strong Roger Williams program.  Norwich demonstrated resilience in set-piece play, stealing 100 percent of Roger Williams' scrums and winning 50 percent of its lineouts.

Against Endicott, the Cadets continued to show flashes of promise.  Putney broke through the defensive line for a 40-meter breakaway run with McFadden in support to maintain possession.  Sophomore Kensey LaCroix (Bagley, Minn.) later powered forward from near the try line for a 50-meter breakaway before delivering a pop pass to Forchap, showcasing Norwich's developing attacking connection.

"This coming weekend is one we have been preparing for all season," said Head Coach Baylee Annis '14.  "Norwich Varsity heads to the St. Bonaventure 7s Automatic Qualifier on Sunday, Mar. 29, with eyes on the prize for a win directly to the CRC 7s National Championship at the end of April.  I can't wait to showcase our seniors and see our newer players set up as they have been these last few weeks."

Norwich will next travel to the St. Bonaventure 7s Automatic Qualifier on Sunday, Mar. 29.  The Cadets will open tournament play against the University of Buffalo at 8:30 a.m., with additional matchups scheduled against Fairfield University, Niagara University, and Adrian College.