0
0
The 10th annual National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) conference championships unfolded on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Mass., on Nov. 22, and the two 2024 titleholders retained their respective trophies. Host Harvard and American International College (AIC) won the DI and DII/DIII finales, respectively, and will enjoy that view from the top for the rest of the school year. [lead photo c/o Harvard Athletics]
The day began with the DII/DIII title match, which involved two DII teams: AIC and West Chester. The former had defeated Frostburg State 107-0 in the Nov. 15 semifinals, and the latter eliminated DIII Bowdoin 19-5 for the berth to the final. These two programs contested the DII championship in 2021 as well, and it was a competitive 29-17 contest to the Yellow Jackets. But AIC has since separated itself from the DII pack (with the exception of Davenport University, which was ruled ineligible for the postseason this year).
On Saturday, AIC posted 45 first-half points before ending the 80 minutes with a 74-0 shutout win. It’s the Springfield, Mass., program’s second-straight trophy and third overall. Championship MVP Camryn Henderson led the squad with 24 points on two tries and seven conversions. Annekkia Ritter-Truxal, Mahina Hafoka and Kiyanah Edwards scored a brace of tries apiece, while Amalani Bonds, Shiela Sarmiento, Jendall Moe and Mariah Cuarenta also dotted down tries.
View this post on Instagram
“I don’t think that we’ve reached our full potential,” AIC head coach James Bonti told AIC Athletics. “The best is yet to come, in my opinion. It’s a wonderful group of women; a group of women that are incredibly fierce. We’ve talked about being bold all year. It’s an incredibly bold, brave group of women. I love this group.”
“While today did not end up the way we hoped it would be, we are very proud, inspired, and honored to be a part of the NIRA Championships again this year,” head coach Tony DeRemer told WCU Athletics. ” It’s been four years since our last appearance so getting back this year is a great source of motivation for future seasons. It’s great to face great teams like these and have moments that show not only how good you are but also where you can improve. Overall, it was a great weekend for our program despite a disappointing result on the scoreboard.”
View this post on Instagram
The Division I final followed and it delivered in terms of competitiveness. Harvard and NIRA first-year Lindenwood University played their regular-season match on Sept. 6, and the Crimson won that first-ever 15s game 26-17. Both teams played really thrilling fall schedules, contesting close matches with teams like Dartmouth, Army and Sacred Heart that kept the general rugby community truly engaged.
So there was all the anticipation and energy on tap when Harvard and Lindenwood reunited on Mignone Field for the Nov. 22 rematch. Seventeen minutes elapsed before the scoreboard ticked over, and it was Harvard’s Courtney Taylor who broke the whitewash. Ava Ference converted for a 7-0 lead that lasted only a few minutes. An error on the subsequent kickoff allowed the Lions to set up in good attacking territory, and Loimata Toia put down a try in minute 21. Freda Tafuna converted, 7-all.
Harvard then went back-to-back in the try zone — first from Sophie Hayes, and then right before the halftime hooter, Charlotte Gilmour scored the team’s third try. The Crimson took a 17-7 lead into the break.
View this post on Instagram
The Lions won the second half in terms of points scored, as Lucía del Campo Andrés and Tafuna scored tries and Tafuna added a conversion. Those two scores were split by a lovely try from Sana’a Lunon, who corralled a cross-field kick in stride and in for five. Those points were the winning difference: 22-19 to Harvard.
The title marked Harvard’s third-straight and senior center Tiahna Padilla has been named championship MVP in all three. The 2025 trophy is the program’s fourth overall, making Harvard the first to four championships.
Stay tuned for player interviews.