Women's Rugby Finishes Second in Crimson 7s Tournament

In their first four games, Radcliffe Rugby allowed exactly zero points while scoring 112 of their own. Most would consider that domination, and most would expect them to win the tournament.

But on a chilly and wet Saturday, Quinnipiac handed the hosts of the Crimson 7s tournament a 22-10 defeat in the Cup championship game that one would guess felt much like the weather. Harvard, however, came off the field in resolute fashion, snatching the positives from the moist air.

“It was our first tournament so we weren’t really sure what to expect, but I thought that our team played together really well,” senior Claire Collins said. “We played the way we know how and with a lot of good communication, a lot of good passing, a lot of good tries, a lot of nice tackles.”

HARVARD 10, QUINNIPIAC 22

After seeing little resistance from opposition in the team’s first four games, the Crimson came out of the gate putting up little resistance of its own in the tournament final. Quinnipiac brought a level of play befitting of its title as two-time defending Division 1 national champion, outclassing the Harvard squad.

The Bobcats controlled the game from the opening possession and punched in its first try just three minutes into the game. The team failed all its conversions in the first half, but nonetheless controlled the game by notching two more scores, including one try driven in as time expired in the first half. It was apparent that the Crimson’s defense had simply not seen offense reaching Quinnipiac’s quality.

“I think that defense is the type of thing that until you get in the game you do not appreciate how hard it is, and now that we’ve gotten a taste of that I think we are going to work really hard to keep improving our defense,” Collins said.

This theme of adaptation was apparent even as early as the second half. Harvard freshman Robyn Besse knocked in a try to start off the period. On the ensuing kick-off Quinnipiac got pinned deep in its own zone and the Crimson’s improved defensive posture was able to absorb Quinnipiac’s fast ball movement and tight cutting, leading to a turnover. With 15 yards to the end zone, Harvard had the opportunity to jump back in the game with enough time to potentially complete a comeback.

But a fumble shortly after led to a long Quinnipiac march to the end zone and the effective ending of the game—the time lost hurt just as much as the converted try.

The theme of the tournament, however, was looking at the positives. Sophomore Caitlin Weigel created such a moment by punching one in as match time expired, leaving a good taste in Harvard’s mouth.

“To go out and to finish a last minute try like that was really wonderful, and I’m really, really proud of this team,” junior captain Maya Learned said. “I can’t wait to see where it’s going.”

HARVARD 12, WEST CHESTER 0

After punching in a quick converted try, courtesy of Weigel in the first two minutes of the match, Harvard and West Chester found themselves in a war of attrition. Much of the first half was taken up by procedural problems with uneven throw-ins and rucks. Freshman Delia Hellander almost struck with a 60-yard run, but was stopped just short of the end zone. The ball was fumbled out the back to close out the half.

This Cup semifinal game was perhaps the best example of the development that the Crimson went through during the one-day tournament, facing the biggest offensive threat so far. After the break, the Golden Rams had an extended period of possession deep in the Harvard territory. West Chester seemed primed to level the game at seven apiece, but a strong stand by the Crimson allowed the team to gain possession and seal the game with a last-minute score by Collins.

This finishing flourish was orchestrated in large part by one of only two seniors on Harvard’s active roster. It’s no coincidence that Collins was the one to bring her best after emerging from a trying situation.

“Our seniors are super special this year,” Learned said. “They’re the very first ones that went varsity and have been varsity throughout [their tenure at] the program. So they started out the program and they put it on the right course and we’re really proud of them. And this is the last tournament that they got to play at home, which is a really special thing…. Each and every one of them is just a really wonderful person and I’m going to miss them terribly.”

HARVARD 29, AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 0

Although this game was the third straight shutout of the weekend, it was probably the most impressive. Facing the Yellow Jackets, who made the National Semifinals last fall in 15s, the Crimson stifled the western Mass. team defensively while racking up the tries with its speedy players.

This 20-game tournament opened the season for Harvard, allowing them to face a smattering of different skill levels as it prepares for more intense tournaments later in the season. An added bonus was that inherent within a tournament set-up was the opportunity to play tougher competition as the day progresses and the players get their legs planted. The Crimson’s exemplary play came after playing two more developmental games.

“15s to 7s is always a weird transition,” Learned said. “With 7s it’s hard because there’s a lot more pressure on the individual just because there are seven people covering such a large amount of space, but I think that everybody on the team has stepped up and is doing a great job.”

HARVARD 35, SACRED HEART 0

Serving effectively as Senior Night for the Crimson’s seniors, most of the attention was focused on the people who transformed Radcliffe Rugby into a varsity sport. While there are still distinct elements of its club past (Harvard sings songs at the end of games to the opposing team), its varsity status was apparent as well.

With the addition of recruitment into the games, the element of youth is strong. Underclassmen scored all seven tries in this game, putting the team in a comfortable position early in the match.

Melding these cultures of excellence and tradition is an ongoing process, as is binding as a team.

“Every weekend for the next four weekends we’re going to be traveling, playing in tournaments, playing a lot of the same teams which will be good so we can gauge our improvement,” Learned said. “It’s going to be a test for sure, but I think that we are going to do really, really well this season.”

HARVARD 36, NEW HAMPSHIRE 0

This morning game was less about the overpowering performance from the Crimson and more about the significance that surrounded its playing.

This was the first formal 7s rugby game played on Roberto A. Mignone Field since it was inaugurated last fall. The new field was built as the women’s rugby program was formalized. For some, the playing ground is the physical manifestation of the labors inputted into the long transition process.

“This is our field and we’re so honored to have it,” Collins said. “Knowing the amount of work that I’ve put in over four years, then seeing both my friends and family members recognize that, and then also seeing how much our team has improved just means a lot. It means that the work we are putting in is paying off.”

—Staff writer William Quan can be reached at william.quan@thecrimson.com.