1st DI-AA Title Goes to Northeastern

2025 marked the first year that National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) held a DI-AA 15s competition, and Northeastern University claimed the first-ever trophy. The Boston-based program took a tough road to the top of the podium, having to knock off the top-two-ranked teams in the Coaches Poll LINK during regionals, and then bested a strong side from Colorado University 44-10 in last Sunday’s finale. [lead photo: Jackie Finlan / TRB]

 

Northeastern has featured in seasonal finals before, but Sunday marked the Huskies’ first *national* 15s title. The team won CRAA’s Fall 15s Championship in 2023, but as the name implies, it’s not a national competition but a seasonal one — i.e., that member organization also held a spring-based 15s championship and named a completely different champion during the second half of the year (in spring 2024, it was Stanford). NCR, however, contests all of its women’s 15s competitions in the fall (NCR 7s competitions occur in the spring), making the December finale a true national championship.

But Northeastern wasn’t focused on such minutia come Sunday. The team, just like Colorado, was eager to debut in a 15s final with NCR, and that meant a peak performance in Houston’s Sabercats Stadium. Read previews from Northeastern head coach Keith Cattanach and Colorado head coach Beth Humphrey.

 

Early in the match Northeastern set up with a scrum deep in its own end, but the transfer out of the back was messy and some broken play followed. Fortunately Northeastern fullback Jolene Russo, who was absolute magic on the day, scooped up the ball and took off for Colorado territory. Championship MVP Molly McAlevey got over the try line soon after, but the Buffaloes’ defense did well to get between the No. 8 and the turf. Northeastern fielded the goal line dropkick cleanly and worked wing Alex Muelas Del Moral into the try zone. McAlevey converted for the 7-0 lead.

Russo again put the team in scoring position, splitting the defense after a nice set piece move. Outside center Sydney Joslin dotted down the honors, 12-0.

 

The next 15 minutes was a battle. Northeastern was trying to turn its momentum into an unstoppable wave, while Colorado yearned to get points on the board. No. 8 Lucia Hoffman (a DI-AA Player of the Year nominee) carried hard; dynamic outside center Noelle Behr ran on a tilt; and sophomore wing Amanda Ridore was fast and unintimidated in big contact.

But ultimately Northeastern was able to retain good possession and work three more tries in the first half. Another set piece move saw wing Mira Mahmoud loop around the scrum and break into open territory, and Russo finished off the series in the try zone, 17-0. A yellow card to Colorado flyhalf Cassidy Dugdale allowed the Huskies a bit more room, and a super fast break from McAlevey down the sideline nearly turned into a try, but the offload to Russo in support just missed. The team was in good attacking territory though and lock Sierra Palecek powered over for try number four. Just before the break, flyhalf Alex Peterson dotted down for a 29-0 lead into the sheds.

 

When the teams returned to the pitch, Northeastern made sure that Colorado didn’t set the tone early on and put Muelas Del Moral away for the wing’s second try, 34-0.

But Colorado was in the DI-AA final for a reason and couldn’t be kept out of the try zone for a full 80 minutes. Behr, who is just a fun individual to watch play rugby, scored in the 53rd minute. The Buffaloes got their second try approximately 10 minutes later, when flanker Sophia Trahan barreled across the line for five. At that juncture, Northeastern led 39-10.

 

But Northeastern had answers for both of those tries, putting Joslin away for the center’s second try of the match. The final score of the game came from reserve Isabella Hernandez, who was on the heels of McAlevey on another big breakaway and got the offload for the try. After 80 minutes, Northeastern put a 44-10 win into the record books.

McAlevey was named Championship MVP for her influence all around the pitch. One expects a No. 8 to be a dynamic ballcarrier and physical presence, but the senior leader pairs them together in a really exceptional way, making for exciting rugby on both sides of the ball.

For more NCR championship coverage (photos and interviews), visit TRB’s Instagram.

 

In other championship news, Southern Nazarene solidified its DI championship on Saturday night; the U.S. Coast Guard Academy won its first 15s title against UW Eau Claire; and Colorado School of Mines overcame Endicott in an epic DIII championship.

Up next, NCR will name Players of the Year for all four 15s divisions, and then springtime brings the 7s season and national championships, aka, CRC 7s.