The College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) is hosting its annual Fall Classic in Spartanburg, S.C., this weekend, and the women’s game is more of a showcase than a title match. Life University Women’s Rugby and the Peaks Academy All-Star Team will report to the Louis P. Howell Athletic Center at 4 p.m. ET this Saturday and inject some high-performance rugby onto the pitch. All games will be live-streamed on CRAA’s YouTube channel. [lead photo: Cal alum May Lauritzen / Alex Ho @hoiho_photo]

The Peaks Academy All-Star Team features both current collegians and senior club players.

“We set out to create a roster that blends experience, talent, and skill—one that reflects the full landscape of elite women’s rugby in the United States,” CRAA Women’s Commissioner Tiff Lopez explained. “Our squad spans the spectrum of the game: current collegiate standouts, international athletes competing in the U.S., CRAA alumni, players competing in the WER, mothers balancing performance and parenthood, and athletes active within the USA Rugby 7s and XVs national team pool and pathway. This group represents not just ability, but resilience, commitment, and the diverse journeys that fuel women’s rugby.”

PEAKS ACADEMY ALL-STARS

Lewanda Aspinall
Linique Bouwer
Hope Cooper
Lauren Ferridge
Leti Hingano
Viola Koning
Sophia Lamphier
May Hirano Lauritzen
Serena Liu
Celine Aiga Liulamaga
Jordis Lomu
Eve Mango
Chayse McCann
Jade McGrath
Alycia Namosimalua
Alopa Nau
Mariah Overby
Stephanie Rosales
Grace Talty
Tee Teaupa
Anna Van Dyk
Julia Wallace

Orlando Pulou serves as head coach. Most recently he took the Utah Cannibals to the New York 7s and won the girls’ premier division. His Skyridge H.S. team also won the regional 7s championship and United won Utah 7s this fall. Win Shortland and Michael Randall are the assistant coaches, and Amber Cluff is the team manager.

“We want to continue creating spaces for strong competition, ensuring players remain visible to national team selectors, and giving them meaningful pathways to stay in the game,” Lopez added. “This team isn’t just about competition—it’s about intention, opportunity, and belief in the future of women’s rugby.”

Life University is a collegiate women’s program that is in the midst of a unique season. The Running Eagles saw its competition options dwindle with the demise of DIA after the spring 2025 season, and so the Marietta, Ga., team got creative. Read more about how Life is fielding teams in two different competitions, one of which is a senior club league. Roster TBA.

“Life University has been dominant in their new structure, reinforcing themselves as a force in American rugby,” CRAA Women’s Commissioner Tiffany Lopez lauded the collegians. “They consistently bring top-tier physicality, skill, and preparation—and we wanted to build a roster capable of matching that level, highlighting both programs’ commitment to excellence. This matchup is about elevating standards and creating a competitive platform worthy of the athletes on both sides.”

Tune into CRAA’s YouTube to watch the games live.