Princeton Women go south for College 7s Nationals

For the first time in college rugby history, there will be a collegiate national sevens championship sponsored by USA Rugby this weekend. The Princeton women’s team was one of 11 teams chosen by a selection committee to travel to Texas A&M University to compete for the championship.

By Stephanie Gati,  Senior Writer for The Princetonian

Other women’s teams vying for the championship will be Indiana; Virginia; Arizona State; Texas; Boston College; Santa Clara University; University of California, Berkeley; University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Norwich; and Oregon State, with Indiana and Texas competing in Princeton’s pool. The Tigers are seeded first in their pool, which Rugbymag calls “possibly the most competitive pool in the tournament.”

The inception of the sevens championship is due to sevens rugby being included in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. “Sevens” rugby refers to playing the game with seven players per side, instead of the 15-a-side format that is used during the women’s regular season. According to senior co-captain Lauren Rhode, the United States is hoping to “groom the national talent pool” to be a competitive opponent for the Olympics. Olympic scouts will be present at the championship tournament this weekend.

While this is the first championship tournament played as sevens games, the USA Rugby’s 15s collegiate championship has been in existence since 1980 for men and 1991 for women. USA Rugby allows the national team, collegiate teams, clubs and high schools to compete.

Rhode explained that Princeton coach Emil Signes “has been credited by many for getting rugby sevens into the Olympics, and Emil is the central reason why Princeton women are emerging at the top of USA collegiate sevens competition.” Signes has served as the U.S. National Team coach for both the men’s and women’s sevens teams, and he has been coaching at Princeton for seven years. He created and built up the USA National sevens team, which prompted other countries to do the same, leading up to the sport’s inclusion in the upcoming Olympics.

View Emil Signes's Ivy Profile »

Over the past year, the Tigers have taken initiative to seek out any opportunity to play in sevens tournaments or games, including the USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championships last spring in Philadelphia, which was broadcast on NBC. Rhode attributed Princeton’s selection for the national championship to its effort to participate in these sevens games, as well as having Signes as a coach.

In the championship, the Tigers will first compete in a round robin within their pool, first playing Indiana and then Texas. The top two teams of the four pools continue on to quarterfinal, semifinal and championship rounds.

Princeton officially received its bid to the tournament in mid-November. Once the regular season, which is played in the 15-players-per-side format, ended, the Tigers began preparing by having daily practices to prepare for the switch to seven-a-side for the championships. In addition to preparations for this upcoming championship, the team is also keeping in mind its qualification for the 15-player Collegiate Sweet 16, which will happen in the spring.

“This means that many of our players who play fall and spring 15s and summer sevens with club teams are now playing deep into our only off-season, [the winter],” Rhode said.

View Lauren Rhode's Ivy Profile »

The women had a very successful season, winning seven of their nine games. Their only two losses came against Brown, who will not be competing this weekend.

The Tigers are thrilled to be heading into the tournament, fueled by the confidence that Rugbymag has expressed in their potential. In Rugbymag’s predictions for the championship, sophomore Dot Mittow and Rhode are noted as strong players for the Tigers — Mittow for her strength and experience, and Rhode for great footing and excellent vision.

View Dot Mittow's Ivy Profile »

Despite the fact that Princeton has never competed against any of the teams that will be present this weekend in a sevens game, Rhode expects the team to be very competitive this weekend.

“We are excited to see what everyone brings to the field, and we think that we have an edge in coaching and game strategy,” Rhode said. “We’re very excited to represent the Tigers this weekend, and we look forward to proving that Princeton is a force to be reckoned with on a national stage.”

Related Articles

Princeton Women go south for College 7s Nationals »

USA Rugby 7s Day One Results

Princeton Women (20) - Indiana Redstorm Rugby (5) »
Princeton Women (32) - Texas Rugby Women (5) »

USA Rugby 7s Day Two Results

Oregon State Women (12) Princeton Women (15) Cup Quarter Finals »
USA Rugby Cup Semi Finals (Princeton Falls to Norwich) »
Princeton Takes Third in the National Championship »

National Team, All-American Coaches Select USA Rugby College Sevens All-Tournament Team »