Goff Rugby Report – Seventeen standouts have been nominated for the MA Sorensen Award, given each year to the top collegiate woman rugby player in the USA.

This list, assisted by votes from fans and the rugby public, was curated by a panel of coaches along with Jackie Finlan from The Rugby Breakdown and all overseen by Alex Goff, Editor of GoffRugbyReport.com.

This list of nominees will be pared down to a group of 4-5 finalists, and the Selection Panel will then vote on the winner. The MA Sorensen Award winner will be celebrated and receive the trophy at a gala event at the Washington Athletic Club (WAC) in Seattle in June.

All award winners since the Sorensen Award was started in 2016 have a signed jersey that is on display at the WAC.

The MA Sorensen Award is named after groundbreaking USA player MaryAnn Sorensen. A prop for the USA when they won the 1991 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and also when they made the final in 1994, Sorensen was a standout collegiate player at William & Mary and a brilliant player and coach, while also pursuing a highly respected medical career.

MA has been able to present, in person, every MA Sorensen Award trophy (save for COVID-restricted years in 2020 and 2021) at the Awards events in Seattle.

2026 MA SORENSEN AWARDS

Cassidy Ball, Army West Point
A power-running flanker with an unstoppable engine, Ball has been a spark for a much-improved Black Knights team this NIRA season.

Sydney Davis, Stanford
A flanker or No. 8, Davis was a stalwart for her team in their championship run in 2024-25, despite playing with a broken nose that required a face shield. This year, no shield and no take-backs as she has led Stanford through a series of excellent results.

 

Lucia Del Campo, Lindenwood
The Lindenwood hooker was a player who did the unglamorous work on the field, helping lead the Lions to the NIRA championship game.

AJ Haughey, Life University
A smart and savvy No. 8 with plenty of physicality and leadership skills, Haughey is central to Life University’s outstanding season so far.

Alexa Kirschner, Quinnipiac
A spark plug #9 for Quinnipiac, Kirschner is opportunistic, smart, and kept the Bobcats moving as they recorded a winning season in NIRA

Yesenia Morales, Army West Point
The Army center was the Black Knights’ most consistent attacking and defensive threat as Army made the NIRA playoffs.

 

Gemma Ogoke, Harvard
The young Crimson No. 8 was a breakout performer on an excellent Harvard side, scoring clutch tries throughout the season.

Lei Opeti, Life University
An explosive and athletic flanker, Opeti can turn a game around and showed that especially in her breakout performance in the CRAA Fall Classic.

Mariah Overby, Cal
A veritable points machine for Cal, Overby scores tries, kicks goals, and defends like a demon for a Cal side that is shooting CRAA D1 championship run.

 

Tiahna Padilla, Harvard
A playmaker and game-changer at center for NIRA champions Harvard, Padilla is a two-time Sorensen finalist and a player who can finish scoring chances or make them happen for other players.

Angelique Schrock, Grand Canyon
A young prop who is nailing down the set piece and setting the tone up front, Schrock is the foundation of GCU’s success so far this season.

Freda Tafuna, Lindenwood
Capped Eagle who missed some of the season because of Rugby World Cup duty, the Lindenwood loose forward has won the Sorensen Award twice, and helped the Lions to the NIRA final in their first season in that division.

Emma Tai, Wheeling
Skilled, elusive, and a constant scoring threat, Tai led Wheeling to an impressive showing in NCR’s D1.

Telesi Uhatafe, Southern Nazarene
The explosive Southern Nazarene center was a constant candidate to score a try and was the fire that burned for SNU as they won NCR’s D1.

 

Bella Vogel, Life University
A supremely skilled and intelligent fullback who can kick with either foot, put players into space, and exploit opposition mistakes in a unique way, Vogel is already as USA age-grader and is looking for more.

Katelyn Walker, Dartmouth
Walker was MVP of the CRAA Premier 7s last spring and her constant smart play, leadership and intensity took the Big Green to the NIRA playoffs once more.

Reece Woods, Sacred Heart
Already in the USA pipeline, Woods is a powerhouse prop for a Sacred Heart team that is consistently among the best in NIRA.