PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Roger Williams University Women's Rugby team won the Providence 7s rugby tournament Sunday, November 14th, the third consecutive time the Hawks have taken the 1st place trophy.
RWU entered the final undefeated by virtue of convincing shutout wins against RIC, Tufts, and UMass Dartmouth, and a close 12-7 victory over Columbia U. 12-7. The final then featured a rematch with Columbia, a game that proved to be the most thrilling match of the day.
In the opening minutes, senior captain Brittany Gallin made a series of brilliant moves, then passed to sophomore Alexa Roberto for the first score. Moments later junior Diana Denio broke away for a long score, and the Hawks took a 14-0 lead into halftime. Yet Columbia roared back with a couple of long runs of their own, and with minutes remaining the score was tied at 14.
Gallin then set up the speedster Roberto for the go-ahead try with another great run, again. Moments later, Roberto took a pass from senior Jenny Schermerhorn, scoring from 40 yards out to assure the victory, the final score 26-14.
Other Hawks on the championship squad include Lauren Bergeron, Brittany Vail, Stephanie Grodeska, Ashlee Tucker, Mikaela Feroli, and Nicole Berger. The championship concluded senior Bergeron's career as a member of the Hawks' Women's Rugby team.
RWU also entered a “B” side in the tournament, finishing 1-2 for the day, finishing with a convincing win over RIC. Jacquie Bole, Rachel Dure and Sarah Kuhn all scored with exciting runs.
The Providence 7's concludes the fall season for the Hawks, with the year resuming in April with The Beast of the East college tournament in Portsmouth.
