ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's rugby team won the Plate final of the UNYCRC '15's Championships, taking down SUNY Potsdam by a score of 60-22 on Sunday.
 
"Another great day for Alfred women's rugby", Head Coach Dr. Nicole Bernsen said. "We had outstanding performances from every player on the field today. We are incredibly proud of the team this season as they have truly embodied the perseverance and grit mentality. We now set our sights on 7's in the spring."
 
Samantha Stock (Ellicottville, NY/Ellicottville Central) started strong for the Saxons (6-3, 1-2 UNYCRC), scoring back-to-back tries to make it a 14-0 match. After the Polecats got on the board, Aurora Berry (Perry, NY/Perry) added her first try of the match. Stock then completed her hat trick, ending the first half with AU ahead 26-5.
 
Berry led the way in the second half with three tries. The rest of the Saxons' scoring came on one try each by Stock, Alyssa Ainsworth (Vestal, NY/Corning-Painted Post) and Hailey Reome (Galway, NY/Galway).
 
Ainsworth also contributed five successful conversion kicks to the Saxons' score.
 
"I am really proud of my girls," Berry said. "This is the best we've played all season and we proved we are dangerous as a team."
 
"It was a great way to end our season," Carolyn Dokey (Buffalo, NY/Leonardo Da Vinci) said. "Our team played through both injury and sickness for the win. I'm very excited for the future of Alfred women's rugby."
 
AU looks forward to competing in 7's in the spring of 2026.