UMWRFC 2022 Spring Season Recap

With the fall season approaching us, we wanted to share all our accomplishments from the spring season. Despite the majority of the team having no previous 7s experience, UMWRFC finished the season with a winning record.

Prior to the season starting the UMWRFC hired a new head coach, Zoe Kim, a current undergrad student here at UMass. We were also fortunate enough to have Frank Caruso join us as an assistant coach for another season.

We kicked the 7s season off with an inter-squad 7s tournament. Freshman prop, Sam Broglio, was awarded player of the tournament.

After that, we attended the Bryant 7s rugby tournament. We started the day off playing Bryant University, winning 56-0, with tries from: Sophie Rich (x4), Liz Sykes (x3), and Sam Broglio. After that, we lost to Roger Williams 7-14, where freshman wing, Isa Hanley, scored her first try and the team's only try of the match. We then went on to play Coast Guard Academy, losing 7-28, with a try from Sophie Rich. We won our match against Stonehill 35-14 with tries from: Micheala Pomroy (x2), Liz Sykes, Carolyn Smith, and Sophie Rich. In our final match of the tournament, we played Bentley and won 35-0 with tries from: Sam Broglio (x2), Sophie Rich (x2), Micheala Pomroy, and Emma Cullen. UMWRFC placed 5th overall. Sophomore wing, Liz Sykes, was awarded player of the tournament at her first-ever rugby game.

The following week we headed to the UMass Lowell 7s tournament. We beat UMass Lowell 27-7 with tries from: Kenzie Caputo, Sophie Rich, Maggie Congdon, and Emma Cullen. Then we played Northeastern winning 17-0, with tries from: Isa Hanley, Julia Fields, and Alexis Edozie. We played Northeastern again for the semi-final match beating them 15-5, with tries from: Julia Fields, Emma Cullen, and Sophie Rich. We played UConn for the final, but unfortunately lost 12-17, with tries from Emma Cullen and Sophie Rich. Freshman scrumhalf, Emma Cullen, was awarded player of the tournament. UMass placed 2nd overall at the UMass Lowell tournament.

Next, we hosted the D1 7s championship. We started the day off falling to Northeastern 27-14, with tries from: Sophie Rich and Tess Downes. After we played Boston University, losing 15-5, with Micheala Pomroy putting UMWRFC on the board. In our game against UConn, we lost 20-5, with Sophie Rich scoring our only try. The University of Rhode Island forfeited their game against us. Overall, we placed 3rd at the D1 championship. Freshman wing, Isa Hanley, was awarded player of the tournament.

We ended our season by competing at Beast of the East. We started the tournament playing against UVM and winning 36-0, with tries from: Maggie Congdon (x2), Isa Hanley, Erin Bergeron, Tess Downes, and Sophie Rich. Julia Fields and Sam Broglio each scored two conversions for UMWRFC. After our win against UVM, we played Binghamton University, winning 24-14. Maddie Mulkern, Tess Downes, Maggie Congdon, and Sophie Rich all scored tries for UMWRFC, and Sam Broglio made two conversion kicks. We then played Marist and after a long battle, we lost to Marist 12-7, with Sam Broglio scoring both a try and conversion for UMWRFC. We placed 3rd in our division at Beast. Maggie Congdon, Sophie Rich, and Sam Broglio were awarded players of the tournament.

At the end of the season the following awards were given:

MVP Forwards: Sam Broglio, freshman prop, and Tess Downes, junior prop

MVP Backs: Sophie Rich, senior fullback, hooker, and flank

MVP Rookie: Liz Sykes, sophomore wing

Most Improved: Isa Hanley, freshman wing

Unsung Hero: Maggie Congdon, senior center and flank, and Maddie Mulkern, junior prop and second row

MVP off the field: Nadine Theberge, equipment manager, and Zoe Kim, head coach Coach’s Award: Kenzie Caputo, senior captain and scrumhalf, and Micheala Pomroy, freshman flyhalf

All in all, UMWRFC had a very impressive first 7s season back. We are excited to see what the fall has in store, and we are hoping that you are all getting hyped up as well.

Additionally, we want to congratulate Tess Downes and Zoe Kim for representing UMWRFC at the Northeast Academy!

In terms of fundraising, we were able to raise $3,961 through our MinuteFund, UMass Gives, Valentines, and other fundraisers during our games. We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone for their generosity and contributions to our team. We would not be able to do it without you!

We want to thank our Spring 2022 Eboard for making all this possible.

We also want to thank our graduating seniors (Captain Kenzie Caputo, Sophie Rich, Maggie Congdon, Hadley Beauregard, Nora O'Connor, Tashia Sawabi, and Gabby Reynolds) for all their hard work these past few years. You will be missed!

See all of you in the fall, get rowdy!