NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Alfred University women's rugby team ended its season as the ninth place finishers in the Fox 7's Tournament, hosted by Niagara University on Sunday.
 
The Saxons (4-13-2, 2-2 UNYCRC) were ninth out of 12 teams competing on Sunday. Despite falling to Plattsburgh State, 22-0 and Clarkson University, 39-0, the Saxons ended the day with a 5-5 tie to Fredonia, narrowly missing the 10-5 win after a last-minute push for a try ended just yards short of the try-zone. "Despite the score lines, the team played some of our best rugby this season! We always welcome an opportunity to challenge ourselves," Head Coach Dr. Nicole Bernsen said. "The first two games certainly did and those teams made it to the finals. Last year we came in 12th at this tournament so finishing ninth is measurable improvement. We certainly ended on a high note and have laid a great foundation for what's to come next year!"
 
Alfred University and Fredonia were slotted to play in a consolation game but due to injuries on the Fredonia roster and the weather, the game was scrubbed. "The scores do not reflect how we played. We played with only six players for half the tournament, but we were still strong in contact and poured all we had onto the field," sophomore Samantha Stock (Ellicottville, NY/Ellicottville Central) said. "This was a great way to end the first AU Women's 7's varsity season. Thank you Dr. Coach Nicole, Dale, Jenn and Cullen for all you did for the team this season. Thank you to the team for being my favorite part of Alfred."
 
The lone try of the day came during the first half of the final match of the day as Aaliyah Torzon (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) connected with Stock on a pass to the right side, finding a route to the try-zone and score. Stock neared the game-winning try in the final moments of the match but was pulled down from behind. Zia Oellig (Colorado Springs, CO/Fountain Valley School of Colorado) was the first Saxon to get to Stock for the ruck, but a penalty was called, ending the match as a tie with AU less than five yards away from the try.

"We played really well at this tournament even though we were against harder teams," Torzon said. "The scores don't reflect the vast improvement we have made as a whole. It was a great game to end with. I finally learned to stiff arm!"
 
Players of the Match
Sam – For playing with heart and pushing her limits all day.
Aaliyah – For bringing physicality and tenacity on both sides of the ball.
 
The Saxons will look towards the 2025-26 year for their next season, starting with 15's in the fall.