Northeast Academy’s Morgan Roberts •
The Northeast Academy Women will compete in its third fixture of the 2016-17 season, traveling to Costa Rica with the men’s team for the Rainforest Rugby Sevens (Feb. 18-19). Steve Lewis will serve as head coach for the women’s team, while Gary Heavner has been named team manager.
The Rainforest Rugby Sevens occurs fewer than two weeks prior to the program’s main event – the Las Vegas Invitational (March 2-4).
“Given school, work [and] life commitments, not everyone can go to both tourneys just two weeks apart,” Lewis explained, “so Costa Rica is more of a developmental tour for us, which will allow other athletes an opportunity to test themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. We are also drawing players from all three Northeast locations – New York, Boston and Buffalo – for this tour.”
Seven of 12 players have worn the Academy kit at both the Barbados (Dec. 10-11) and New York 7s (Nov. 26) tournaments this cycle. Morgan Roberts (pictured) captained one of four sides at the New York 7s and the Barbados team that finished fourth against an international field. Kala Crawford, the former Buffalo State captain who now plays for Buffalo Women, will make her Academy debut in Costa Rica, while returners Corinne Heavner of Penn State and Tahlia Brody of SUNY Geneseo represent the collegiate contingent.
Stay tuned for more detailed information from the Academy.
Northeast Academy Women
Tahlia Brody^ – SUNY Geneseo
Xanni Brown^ – Beantown
Kala Crawford – Buffalo
Gio Cruz^ – New York
Corinne Heavner*^ – Penn State
Emily Magee*^ – New York
Deanna Nash*^ – Boston
Morgan Roberts*^ – Beantown
Lisa Roselin – New York
Jenn Salomon*^ – New Haven
Claire Stingley*^ – Beantown
Miranda Wakimoto*^ – Beantown
Head coach: Steve Lewis
Manager: Gary Heavner
* 2016 Barbados 7s team
^ 2016 New York 7s team