Seventeen top women's collegiate rugby players have been nominated for the MA Sorensen Award, give each year to the top collegiate woman rugby player in the USA.
This list, assisted by votes from fans and the rugby public, was curated by a panel of coaches along with Jackie Finlan from The Rugby Breakdown and all overseen by Alex Goff, Editor of GoffRugbyReport.com.
This list of nominees will be pared down to a group of four or five finalists, and the Selection Panel will then vote on the winner. The MA Sorensen Award-winner will be celebrated and receive her trophy at a gala event at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, Wash. in June.
All award-winners since the Sorensen Award was started in 2016, have a signed jersey that is on display at the WAC.
The MA Sorensen Award is named after groundbreaking USA player MaryAnn Sorensen. A prop for the USA when they won the 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup, and also when they made the final in 1994, Sorensen was a standout collegiate player at William & Mary and a brilliant player and coach, while also pursuing a highly respected medical career.
MA has been able to present, in-person, every MA Sorensen Award trophy (save for COVID-restricted years in 2020 and 2021) at the Awards events in Seattle.
Here are the Nominees in alphabetical order:
Cassidy Ball, Army West Point
A power-running flanker with an unstoppable engine, Ball has been a spark for a much-improved Black Knights team this NIRA season.
Sydney Davis, Stanford
A flanker or No. 8, Davis was a stalwart for her team in their championship run in 2024-25, despite playing with a broken nose that required a face shield. This year, no shield and no take-backs as she has led Stanford through a series of excellent results.
Stanford vs Cal in 7s last spring, but they're good in 15s too. Photo Peyton Pollock.
Sydney Davis for Stanford. Photo Peyton Pollock.
Lucia Del Campo, Lindenwood
The Lindenwood hooker was a player who did the unglamorous work on the field, helping lead the Lions to the NIRA championship game.
AJ Haughey, Life University
A smart and savvy No. 8 with plenty of physicality and leadership skills, Haughey is central to Life University's outstanding season so far.
Alexa Kirschner, Quinnipiac
A sparkplug #9 for Quinnippiac, Kirschner is opportunistic, smart, and kept the Bobcats moving as they recorded a winning season in NIRA
Yesenia Morales, Army West Point
The Army center was the Black Knights' most consistent attacking and defensive threat as Army made the NIRA playoffs.
Gemma Ogoka, Harvard
The young Crimson No. 8 was a breakout performer on an excellent Harvard side, scoring clutch tries throughout the season.
Lei Opeti, Life University
An explosive and athletic flanker, Opeti can turn a game around and showed that especially in her breakout performance in the CRAA Fall Classic.
Lei Opeti gets the MVP award at the CRAA Fall Classic.
Mariah Overby, Cal
A veritable points machine for Cal, Overby scores tries, kicks goals, and defends like a demon for a Cal side that is shooting CRAA D1 championship run.
Tiahna Padilla, Harvard
A playmaker and game-changer at center for NIRA champions Harvard, Padilla is a two-time Sorensen finalist and a player who can finish scoring chances or make them happen for other players.
Angelique Schrock, Grand Canyon
A young prop who is nailing down the set piece and setting the tone up front, Schrock is the foundation of GCU's success so far this season.
Freda Tafuna, Lindenwood
Capped Eagle who missed some of the season because of Rugby World Cup duty, the Lindenwood loose forward has won the Sorensen Award twice, and helped the Lions to the NIRA final in their first season in that division.
Emma Tai, Wheeling
Skilled, elusive, and a constant scoring threat, Tai led Wheeling to an impressive showing in NCR's D1.
Telesi Uhatafe, Southern Nazarene
The explosive Southern Nazarene center was a constant candidate to score a try and was the fire that burned for SNU as they won NCR's D1.
Bella Vogel, Life University
A supremely skilled and intelligent fullback who can kick with either foot, put players into space, and exploit opposition mistakes in a unique way, Vogel is already as USA age-grader and is looking for more.
Katelyn Walker, Dartmouth
Walker was MVP of the CRAA Premier 7s last spring and her constant smart play, leadership, and intensity took the Big Green to the NIRA playoffs once more.
Reece Woods, Sacred Heart
Already in the USA pipeline, Woods is a powerhouse prop for a Sacred Heart team that is consistently among the best in NIRA.
As a 17-year-old Spencer Huntley required a waiver to play for the USA U20s, an indication of how he was rated in the USA age-grade pathway. He got that waiver and impressed for the USA U20s, and then moved up to the USA U23s. He led the San Diego Mustangs to a national HS Club championship in 2024.
He also played in the SoCal single-school league for Cathedral Catholic.
Hope Rogers began playing rugby at age 16 in high school and continued to compete during her time at Penn State University. There, she won four National Championships, was crowned MVP on two occasions, was named to the USA Under-20s and earned Collegiate All-American honors for four years. Rogers was also an impressive discus player during her senior year in high school where she broke a school record and won Gold at Districts for the sport.
Nathan Caruso is a steady, smart fly half who drives Villanova’s attack with calm decision-making and a reliable skill set. He’s been central to Villanova’s success in the MARC, controlling tempo and keeping the team organized under pressure.
Tonga Kofe is one of the most promising young front-rowers to come out of the American rugby pathway. A powerful and hard-working prop, he rose through the Utah Warriors development system.
Ray Santiago has emerged as one of RPI’s most influential forwards, a player whose size, athleticism, and rapid development make him stand out in the Division II landscape.
Christy Ringgenberg is one of the most accomplished and versatile players to wear the USA jersey, earning recognition on the Goff Rugby Report All-Time American list for her impact on both 15s and 7s.
