RICHMOND, VA – The Alfred University women's rugby team was back in action and earned a fourth place finish at the Richmond 7's Tournament on Sunday.
 
The Saxons (2-6) began with a 26-5 victory over Roanoke College before falling to Sewanee, 33-5. AU made the semifinal of the tournament for the first time in program history, despite losing the match to Christopher Newport University, 48-0, and then closed with a narrow 12-10 loss to Longwood University in the Third-Place match.
 
Against Roanoke, Ava Webber (Cobleskill, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) scored two early tries. Allison Parnes (New Hyde Park, NY/Homeschool) found Samantha Stock (Ellicottville, NY/Ellicottville Central), who ran 45 meters to get on the board and make it a 19-0 match at halftime. In the second half, Alyssa Ainsworth (Vestal, NY/Corning-Painted Post) passed to Ellie Prestridge (Bethel, VT/White River Valley), who ran to the left and rushed for 30 meters to score for AU's third consecutive try of the game.
 
Ainsworth contributed successful conversions on three of the tries made, for a total of six points.
 
Prestridge notched her second try of the tournament as she was the only Saxon to score during the loss to Sewanee.

During the Third Place match, Longwood University took a 5-0 advantage. Aurora Berry (Perry, NY/Perry) got the ball out of a scrum and ran for 10 meters to tie at halftime. In the second half, Zia Oellig (Colorado Springs, CO/Fountain Valley School of Colorado) tackled a Lancer near the in-goal area, creating a chance for Stock to poach the ball and score for the 10-5 lead. Unfortunately, Longwood University came down on the other end to score, going up by two to end the match.
 
"We showed a lot of fight coming out hard and finishing strong," Head Coach Dr. Nicole Bernsen said. "We're continuing to improve, but the heat got the best of us today. I'm proud of how we're continuing to grow as a team."
 
The Saxons next head to Berea, Ohio, for the Powerful on Women on the Pitch 7's Tournament on Sunday, March 29.