Women's Premier Cup Preview

Back-to-back defending champion Brown comes in as the top seed in the West. If the Bears are to three-peat, they’ll have to do it without reigning MVP Kate Muldoon, who is out with injury. But the force of nature that is Akilah Cathy is healthy and ready to rumble. 

On the line for the Bears, in addition to another national title, is the record for the most in any coach in CRC women’s history. Ros Chou, who won two with Life and has won two with Brown, will stand alone if Brown comes good Sunday.

Opposite Brown as the top seed in the East is American International College, third-place finishers last year. The Yellowjackets are loaded with talent, including standouts Kiyanah Edwards, Venise Sanft and Camryn Henderson. Jamaican national teamer Naomi Dodd is a try-scoring machine, too.  

Army, runners-up to Brown the last two years, is the second seed in the East. Led by first-year head coach Jenn Soloman, the Black Knights are loaded with talent and eager to claim their first CRC victory. Queens, the second seed in the West, is making its CRC debut. 

Players to Watch

The MA Sorenson Award is given out annually to the top women’s player in college rugby, and there are five nominees for the 24/25 award competing in this division – Cathay (Brown), Alexis Dallas (Wheeling), Emma Gamboa (Army), Nikki Lynch (Brown) and Southern Nazarene’s Telesi Uhatafe. 

Cinderella Candidate

Uhatafe is arguably the most explosive player in the tournament. She is tough, fast, agile and always on the attack, even in defense. If she gets hot, the Crimson Storm could pull on the slipper. The tough running of Lo Anderson and the the dominant tackling of freshman Jada Zaragoza will help, too.