For the third straight season, Cal U’s Women’s Rugby Club competed in the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) Women’s 7s National Championships.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Since this story first appeared, Cal U’s Women’s Rugby Club competed in the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) Women’s 7s National Championships, finishing in 12th place.
After losing to Wayne State College (Neb.) and Endicott College (Mass.), the club team defeated Scranton and Ursinus colleges before being eliminated by Findlay University.
This was the club’s third consecutive appearance at the national champtionships; the 12th place showing was the club’s highest finish.
The 16-team event runs from April 28-29 at Founders Field in Cheswick, Pa.
Under the guidance of third-year head coach and alumna Brittany Marnell, Cal U opens play at 10 a.m. April 28 against 2017 national runner-up Wayne State College (Neb.) on Field 1.
Then Cal U will switch to Field 2 and face Rochester University at 11:40 a.m. and Scranton University at 1:20 p.m. Teams will be seeded based on pool play for the remainder of the tournament.
Cal U's club team qualified for the tournament after winning five consecutive games at the Allegheny Rugby Union NSCRO 7s Qualifier earlier this month at Fairmont State (W. Va.) University.
The team advanced to the semifinals with victories over Thiel College (27-5), Clarion University (46-0) and Allegheny College (41-5).
In the semifinals, Cal U blanked Saint Vincent College 31-0 and won the championship with another triumph over Thiel College, 36-10.
Team captain Kayla Swartz and Alex Massari were selected for the all-tournament team.
This was Cal U's second straight year winning the NSCRO Qualifier. In 2016, the team received an at-large selection bid to the national event.
"Our team played a very fast, quick-paced game, and our defense was very strong," said Marnell, who played on the team as an undergraduate. "I think we simply out-ran our opponents.
"Repeating as the qualifier champion is an impressive accomplishment."
Cal U won a game at last year's NRSCO National Championships, and Marnell said the competition would again be challenging — including defending champion Colgate.
"We're familiar with some of the teams, and the ones from out West are really well-developed teams with players that have been competing since they were very young," Marnell said.
"However, with our speed, I believe we will be more competitive this year and more than hold our own."
Marnell, a first-grade teacher at Clairton Elementary School, said her team holds two-hour practices Tuesdays through Fridays.
"These ladies are very dedicated," she said.
Scores will be reported on the NSCRO Facebook page between each round of pool games. Match ups for the quarterfinals will be posted after the completion of the pool games.