Norwich returned to the pitch yesterday, traveling south to Loudonville, N.Y., for Siena College’s PatRUCK’s 7s tournament. In their first outing of the season, the Cadets went 4-0, outscoring opponents 107-10.

Norwich entered two teams into the six-team event. More experienced players – like Collegiate All American Hannah Bell, leading try-scorer Sophie Mundell, Val McGuire and Emily Oor – comprised the majority of the first side, but there were some fresh faces on the title-winning squad. Basketball crossover Kelsey Lotti played in her first rugby game and celebrated with a try scored, and flyer Frankie Sands, a key member of that speedy freshmen class, contributed to the big scorelines.

“I’m truly so honored and humbled to be a part of such an amazing and talented team,” Sands confessed. “It was exciting to be a freshman starter, especially when there are a number of strong freshmen on this team. I was a little anxious to play my first game of 7s, but I knew that the team had practiced, was prepared, and more than capable to play our best.”

The day started with two shutouts – 32-0 vs. Boston University and 21-0 vs. Stonehill. Host Siena broke the points-against streak in game three, but also gave up 27 points in the loss.

American International College had also gone 3-0 on the day, defeating Siena 33-0, Boston University 24-0, and just escaping the mostly freshman Norwich 2 side 22-15. The Yellow Jackets were playing in their second 7s tournament of the season, having returned from the South with an Atlanta 7s Festival trophy last weekend.

“AIC has always been a competition for us,” Sands stated. “And they had a strong team prepared to play against us.”

But Norwich – the only USA Rugby women’s college 7s champion – was too much for AIC in the championship and won 27-5. Nine Cadets scored tries throughout the day: five each for Mundell and Bell, who also handled the extras; a brace apiece for Sands and McGuire; and one five-pointer for Lotti, Oor, Ally Murphy, Sarah Whalen and Natalia Mendez.

Norwich’s second team finished 2-2 on the day, defeating Siena 36-5 and Boston University 10-5, while dropping games to AIC (22-15) and Stonehill (10-5). Freshmen standouts Ilona Maher, a 15s prop, and wing Denisse Zambon combined for the majority of tries, while Alanna Giradin and Courtney Sullivan also scored.

Norwich leads the collegiate 7s scene, and this time of year allows different players to step into the limelight. Sands is just one of the newcomers who could shine in this abbreviated version of the game.

“I'm still learning my role on the team, and it has definitely changed from what it was from the 15s season to the 7s season,” Sands said of the learning curve. “All members of the team have helped me grow as a player, but especially the juniors and seniors on the team, including captain Emily Oor and vice captain Hannah Bell. I admire both players' finesse and decision-making on the field, and they have both helped me this season to work on my skills as a rugby player."

The 7s season picks up next weekend, and both Norwich and AIC are scheduled to compete at the Harvard 7s tournament on Saturday, March 28.

Tournament Results: