ALFRED, NY -- The Alfred University women's rugby team went 2-1 during their first Upstate New York Collegiate Rugby Conference (UNYCRC) 7's Jamboree on Sunday afternoon at Yunevich Stadium, defeating Fredonia and SUNY Brockport.

The Saxons (2-2-1 7's) started the day with a 15-5 victory over the Blue Devils. They then took on SUNY Brockport to win by one point, 15-14 in the middle match. Alfred University ended the day with a 15-5 loss to Nazareth University. "Today's wins mark oen year since the team competed for the first time post-pandemic," Director of Rugby and Women's Head Coach, Dr. Nicole Bernsen said. "Last year, when this event was held at Brockport, we lost all of our games by 35+ margins, so today was actually amazing!"

"We couldn't have asked for a better day! Sunny weather and a great crowd came out to support us as we showed marked improvement from last weekend! Our goal was to achieve our first official win as a varsity program, and we achieved it two-fold and at home," Dr. Bernsen said. "I'm proud of the entire team! Everyone showed fight, determination and skill."

Players of the Match:
- Samantha Stock (Ellicottville, NY/Ellicottville Central)
    - "I am so proud of the way the team played today. The improvement that we have had from last semester and even just last week makes me beyond excited for where this team is headed," Stock said.
- Aurora Berry (Perry, NY/Perry)
    - "We played the best we've ever played, we capitalized on our strengths and pushed through to the very end. We were able to not only get our first program win but our first TWO. Overall, I'm proud of my girls and how we played," Berry said.

Stock scored the first try of the day for the Saxons to send them into halftime with a 5-0 lead over Fredonia. Zia Oellig (Colorado Springs, CO/Fountain Valley School of Colorado) added to the score with a try to open the second half before Fredonia scored their lone points soon answer, making it a 10-5 Saxon lead. Berry closed out the match with the third try of the day for AU.

AU's match-up with Brockport was all Golden Eagles in the first half, as they led, 14-5. The Saxons' lone try was scored by Jordayn Williams (Palmdale, CA/Quartz Hill). Berry brought the score within one score after a try to open the half, making it a 14-10 Brockport lead. Gianna Sapienza (Crown Point, IN/Crown Point) broke loose for a big run, and despite being chased hard, willed themselves to dive into the try zone for the game-winning score.

The Saxons ended the day with the opening score against Nazareth, scored again by Berry. AU and Naz went into the half tied, 5-5 before the Golden Flyers put two more on the board in the second half.

The Saxons will next head to University of Richmond on Sunday, March 23 for the Spiders' 7's Tournament.