The University of Mary Washington women's rugby team traveled to Glen Allen, Virginia to compete in the James River Christmas 7s tournament this past weekend.

This tournament was a fun and friendly tournament does not impact the team's rankings. Eleven teams participated in the women's collegiate bracket of the 7s tournament from all different divisions. 7s is a fast-paced version of rugby where teams compete 7 on 7 with matches only lasting 14 minutes in total. UMW was in a pool with William & Mary, a Division-II team that UMW regularly competes with, and JMU; a division I-AA team that participates in the South Atlantic Rugby Conference, who finished their recent 15s season as the #2 seed in their conference. 

UMW first played JMU's A side on a snowy and slippery turf pitch. UMW held off JMU for the first four minutes, but JMU scored the first try of the half off a pick and go from a scrum. JMU did not convert their first try. JMU scored a second time about a minute later after crash phases but did not convert their second try. In the second half, knock-ons resulted in back-and-forth possession between the Eagles and the Dukes. JMU's third try resulted from JMU's wing picking up a loose ball on the ground and scoring 50 meters out. Their third try was converted. UMW's sophomore Rachel Limani scored the Eagles' first try shortly after UMW gained possession off a penalty, running 55 meters out and stiff-arming JMU's wing for the try. Junior Ava Ward converted the try. The whistle blew about a minute later, resulting in a JMU win, 17-7.  

In the second match, UMW faced William & Mary. Tribe beat UMW in the fall 15s season and finished first in the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference. UMW kicked off to William & Mary at the start of the first half. Tribe knocked on the ball, resulting in a scrum to the Eagles. Senior captain and flyhalf Nyah Speicher scored the first try of the match off a pick from a scrum on the weak side. Ward converted the try. UMW quickly got the ball back after the initial try. After multiple phases, sophomore Cora Hammer drew in defenders and dished the ball out to sophomore Haley Smith, who scored 22 meters out. UMW's second try was not converted. Sophomore Ava Barnes almost scored 50 meters out, but with two defenders on her and wet pitch conditions, the ball was knocked on. Despite a scrum being awarded to William & Mary, UMW stole the ball in the scrum and Speicher picked for another try on the weak side. Ward converted Speicher's second try. The half ended with UMW in the lead, 19-0.

At the start of the second half, Speicher caught the kickoff and offloaded to Limani, who scored 60 meters out. The try was not converted. Smith scored her second try of the match shortly after about 80 meters out on the wing. Her second try was not converted. After a couple of phases by UMW, Ward exploited a gap on the fringe of a ruck and scored. Ward converted her own try. Smith scored a hattrick and a final try of the match 45 meters out after an open ball was presented by William & Mary. The final UMW try was not converted. UMW claimed the victory, 41 (7 tries)-0 over.  

The Eagles faced the University of Virginia A side for their last match of the tournament. UVA ended their 15s season as the front runner in the South Atlantic Women's Rugby conference, just ahead of JMU. UVA's #6 scored shortly into the first half, but they did not convert their first try. UMW kept possession after the kickoff. Ward offloaded to Speicher who cut outside for a try 55 meters out. UMW's first try was not converted. After the next kickoff, despite strong tackles by the Eagles, UVA's #5 scored a meter out. UVA's second try was not converted. Drawing in the defense, UMW got the ball out to Limani who scored from over halfway up the pitch. Limani scored in each of the 7s matches for the day. Her try was converted by Ward. Smith almost scored right before the end of the half with a quick rush to the ball after the kickoff in UVA's in-goal area. Unfortunately, it was knocked on, but the whistle blew indicating the end of the half. UMW led the first half with the Eagles in the lead, 12 -10. UVA almost scored shortly in the second half, but UMW held the ball up. Off an attacking scrum to UVA, the Eagles held the ball up again to prevent UVA from scoring. UVA ended up scoring their third try shortly after, intercepting a pass among UMW's backline. UVA converted their third try. UVA's #6 scored again, which was also converted. Despite back-and-forth possession between UMW and UVA in the final few minutes, UVA scored again but did not convert their last try. The final score resulted in an Eagles loss, 29-12.  

Despite the 1-2 record in the tournament, it was evident the Eagles could compete against strong division I teams with UVA and JMU. Multiple tries by various players reflected the impressive depth of the Eagles. First 7s appearances for Mary Washington Women's Rugby included freshman Makaela Waddington, sophomore Valeria Aviles-Gonzales, and junior Rin Northedge who all contributed considerably during their time on the pitch with strong tackles, passes, and runs. This tournament was a great opportunity for the Eagles to compete before the Spring 2026 7s season.