On Saturday September 7, the UMW Women's Rugby team was scheduled to host Longwood University in the season opener.  Unfortunately, Longwood was able to field a full 15s side, therefore, UMW won by forfeit.  However, so everybody would still have an opportunity to play some form of rugby, the two teams agreed to play a series of 7s matches.
In the first 7s match, UMW chose to play 6 of their 7 starters from last season's Conference Championship tournament team.  A miscue by UMW on the kickoff allowed a Longwood player to run untouched down the sidelines for what appeared to be a score.  However, the touch judges flag went up at midfield, only to have the try recalled.  After the scare, UMW took control of the first half, scoring 3 times in the next 5 minutes.  Scoring for Mary Washington were Ava Ward, Katy Field, and Katie Dickinson, with Ward converting the third try.  On the final play of the half, a poorly positioned UMW defense allowed a Longwood player to make a break outside, bringing the score to 17-7 at the break.
In the second half of the first match, UMW dominated possession of the game.  With Field scoring on the opening kickoff.  Mary Washington would go on to add 3 more tries in the second half, with scores from Dickinson, Field, and Merritt Scherer.  Ward would convert 2 of the 4 tries scored in the second half.  The final score was UMW 41 - Longwood 7.
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In the second 7s match, UMW started a different set of forwards, with just 2 backs repeating from the first match.  Longwood repeated most of their starters from the first match.  The half opened with Longwood taking control of the match, scoring twice within 3 minutes.  UMW was able to capitalize on the kickoff after Longwood's second score, bringing the ball down the field and scoring.  At half, the score was 10-5 in Longwood's favor.
The second half brought a quick strike by UMW, with Asia Lockett returning the kickoff 80 meters, scoring just 20 seconds into the half.  Just one minute later, UMW finally took the lead, as Grace Williams was able to punch in a try from 5 meters out.  However, this would be UMW's final score in the match as the momentum would shift to Longwood.  In the course of the next 4 minutes, Longwood broke free on a number of long runs, scoring 4 times, converting twice.  When the whistle blew, the final score was 34-15 in Longwood's favor.
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The third 7s match of the afternoon again saw a different set of forwards for UMW.  Like the second match, 2 backs repeated from the first match.  Longwood brought in a couple of rookies, playing in their first rugby match.  Longwood took the opening kickoff and moved the ball quick enough to find a hole in the UMW defense, as a Longwood player ran 70 meters to score.  Two minutes later, UMW was able to work down the field, setting up Alex Little for a try.  Little converted her own score, leveling it at 7-7.  Before the half, Nyah Speicher was able to add another try for UMW, bringing it to 12-7 in Mary Washington's favor.
In the second half, Ava Ward caught and returned the opening kickoff 75 meters to score for UMW.  With Ward converting the try, the score was now 19-7.  Two minutes later, a deep kick by Longwood became a footrace, with UMW being outpaced.  Longwood was able to field the ball and score.  Play went back and forth for the remaining minutes, but neither team was able to capitalize.  The final score was UMW 19 - Longwood 12.