On Saturday, April 24^th through Sunday, April 25th, 2026, the University of Mary Washington Women's Rugby team competed at the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Collegiate Rugby 7s National Championship tournament.

On Saturday, the team competed in the round of 16 against Fairfield University. Fairfield was first to score and converted their own try. UMW's junior Ava Ward responded two minutes later, scoring and converting her own try, tying up the score 7-7. A minute before the end of the half, UMW sophomore and vice-captain Greta Giese tapped down in a tackle (her try was not converted), leaving the Eagles to lead in the half, 12 UMW - 7 Fairfield. Unfortunately, in the second half, Fairfield attacked quickly and decisively, scoring three more times and converting two of their tries. The final score resulted in a win for Fairfield, 26 - UMW 12.

Knocked out of the round of 16, UMW competed against Syracuse University in their second match. UMW's Ward scored twice in the first half, converting one of her tries. Syracuse responded in the last minute of the second half scoring and converting a single try, but Mary Wash took the lead, 12 - 7 Syracuse.

In the third match, the Eagles went up against the University of South Florida. USF's attack was strong in the first half, scoring three times and converting once. UMW's captain and soon to be graduate, Nyah Speicher, scored with a breakaway in the final minute of the first half. This try was converted by Ward. The Eagles held off USF until the final minute of the second half, where they touched down a fourth time but did not convert their final try. The final score left USF in the lead, 7 UMW - 22 South Florida.

UMW faced the University of Arkansas for the 11^th place match. Mary Wash's Ward scored in the first minute (her try was not converted), and Speicher scored in the last minute of the first half (converted by Ward). UMW continued to dominate the match with Ward touching down a second time in the second half, leaving the final score with a Mary Wash shut out victory, 19 - 0 Arkansas. 

Despite not claiming a National title, UMW Women's Rugby went 2-2 for the weekend ending in 11^th place out of 90+ teams in National Collegiate Rugby Division II Women's rugby competition. This was a strong showing for the team's first appearance in a 7s National tournament. The program has appeared at multiple 15s National tournaments, including winning the 2014 USA Rugby Division II Women's 15s National Championship. Perseverance and determination of the current team was evident throughout the weekend. The team looks forward to their 15s season beginning in Fall 2026.