Stanford Claims 7th at USA Rugby’s 7’s Collegiate National Championship
Greensboro, North Carolina
A young Stanford team including only one senior and nine underclassmen performed impressively at USA Rugby’s 7’s National Championships, claiming 7th in the Country out of the field of 16 teams. On the first day of the tournament, Stanford opened Pool C with two victories over Ohio State (14-12) and George Washington (19-0). In their third match against Texas, Stanford still needed to win or tie to advance to the Quarterfinals. After allowing an early try to the Longhorns, Stanford rallied back for two first half tries, and took a 14-7 lead to the break. In the second half, Texas scored with four minutes left, while Stanford simultaneously received a yellow card and were forced to play short for much of the remainder of the match. A gutsy and composed Stanford effort saw the Cardinal hold on for the tie, and advance to the Quarterfinals as the top seed from their pool.
On day two in the Quarterfinals, Stanford faced a strong James Madison team. Stanford would strike first through a Chelsea Harris try, and looked posed to score another, but James Madison would turn the Cardinal over and rally down the field to knot the score at 7 just before the half. Another quick James Madison score before the half proved costly, as while Stanford rallied back in the second half, it wasn’t enough and James Madison would win the match 17-12. In their next match, Stanford fell to a very quick Davenport University 10-20, before rallying back in their final game with a victory over Ohio State (19-15).
The young Cardinal team played admirably, showed great promise for the future, and were a few breaks away form going even further in the National Tournament. The team now turns its attention to the 15’s season that kicks off with the Stanford Invitational at Steuber Rugby Field on Saturday January 11th and Sunday January 12th. The Invitational will include Chico State, Cal, Oregon, UCLA, UC San Diego, Western Washington, New Mexico, and Stanford.
Stanford Team:
Maxine Fonua (Senior), Jess Smith (Junior), Nikki Richardson (Junior), Chelsea Harris (Junior), Sasha Herbst de Cortina (Junior), Sara Maurer (Sophomore), Mia Hutchinson (Sophomore), Jemima Oso (Sophomore), Catherynn Vuong (Sophomore), Diana Rodriguez (Sophomore), Dani McDonald (Freshman), Madda Wilson (Freshman), Esther Melton (Freshman), Valerie Chen (Freshman)
Results:
Pool Play:
Stanford 14-Ohio State 12 …Stanford Tries (Vuong, Herbst de Cortina)
Stanford 19 – George Washington 0 …Stanford Tries (Maurer, Harris, Melton)
Stanford 14 – Texas 14….. Stanford Tries (Harris, Rodriguez)
Quarterfinals:
Stanford 12 – James Madison University 17 … Stanford Tries (Herbst de Cortina, Oso)
Consolation Semi-Final:
Stanford 10 – Davenport 20 …. Stanford Tries (Maurer-2)
7th Place Match:
Stanford 19- Ohio State 15 …. Stanford Tries (McDonald, Vuong, Maurer)