INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Davenport University women's rugby team traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, from May 2–4 to compete in the prestigious CRAA 7s National Championship. This tournament brings together the top collegiate rugby programs in the country, including last year's champions, Harvard, and perennial powerhouse Lindenwood.
The Panthers faced a challenging start in their first match against Penn State. They came out strong, with tries from
Leilani Lepe and
Rachel Wilkie, taking a 10-0 lead into halftime. But the second half turned tense as Penn State surged back with two quick tries, pulling ahead 12-10. With just one minute left, co-captain Lepe broke through the defense and delivered a brilliant offload to
Nicole Carvalho, who scored the winning try. The Panthers pulled off a thrilling 15-12 victory.
In their second match of the day, the Panthers started hot against the Long Island University Sharks, with tries from Lepe,
Marla Aymond, and
Charlotte Dauser, jumping to a 17-0 lead. However, momentum shifted in the second half, and the Sharks staged a comeback to edge out the Panthers 19-17 in a heartbreaking finish.
The final game of the day was a must-win matchup against undefeated Dartmouth. The Panthers knew what was at stake and gave everything they had. Despite having a score of 12-0 at halftime, the team rallied. Lepe ignited the comeback with a spectacular kick-and-chase try, and Carvalho intercepted a pass to score again, closing the gap to 12-10. Unfortunately, Dartmouth broke through one last time to seal the game 19-10 and eliminate the Panthers from the championship bracket.
The Panthers came into day 2 determined to finish strong. In their opening match against Navy, Aymond scored within the first three minutes, setting the tone for a dominant performance. The Panthers played with renewed energy and precision, shutting out Navy 22-0. It was a clear display of their resilience and commitment to representing Davenport on the national stage.
For their final game of the season, the Panthers had a rematch against Penn State. With nothing left to lose and everything to prove, the team left it all on the field. Their chemistry, hustle, and heart were on full display as they played for each other and for the pride of their program. It was a fitting end to a season marked by grit, growth, and unwavering team spirit.
This tournament showcased the immense talent and potential of Davenport's women's rugby as they placed ninth in the nation. As the only NCAA Division II team at the national championship, the Panthers proved they belong among the best. A special shoutout goes to seniors
Grace Gohl and
Olivia Male for their leadership and dedication over the past four years, both have been instrumental in elevating the program to national prominence.
Points Scored:
Rachel Wilkie: 2 tries (10 points)
Leilani Lepe: 3 tries (15 points)
Nicole Carvalho: 5 tries (25 points)
Marla Aymond: 3 tries (15 points)
Charlotte Dauser: 2 tries (10 points)
Kyla Rimpel: 1 try (5 points)
