Wheeling, W. Va. - During the Fall 2024 season the Wheeling University Women's Rugby team shocked the world when they won the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) 15's National Championship in their inaugural season. On Saturday, the Cardinals begin the road to try to complete the National Championship sweep as they head to the 2025 Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) National 7's. The Cardinals enter the tournament as the #5 seed from the East bracket as they look to play underdog in their first ever spring season.
Last time out, the Cardinals competed at the Frostburg 7's, where they got to compete against an entirely D1 schedule across their three games. They would begin the day taking on NCR DI school Mount Saint Mary College and the offense flexed their muscles. They put up 41 points while the defense held the knights off the board as the Cardinals picked up a 41-0 win. As they moved on in pool play, they would take on the Naval Academy and it was their closest match of the day. The Cardinals would pull through with a 29-22 win and with that advanced them to the Frostburg 7's Championship match. There, they would take on the Naval Academy once again in a battle between the top two teams in the tournament. It was another close battle, but once again it was the Cardinals that came out on top 19-12 to win their third 7's tournament of the season.
One of the biggest additions for the Cardinals this semester has been transfer student Shannon Whypji from West Virginia University Her combination of speed and skill has made her one of the Cardinal's top scorers during the 7's season. Her top performance would come at the St. Bonaventure 7's, where she scored five tries between the three games. Her biggest showing on that night came in the championship game when she accounted for each of Wheeling's three first half tries. While she has been a force running the ball down the field, she has also done a nice job handling the team's kicking game. She has made around 70% of the conversion kicks she has attempted this season and looks to be a weapon for the Cardinals as they look for the National Championship sweep.
Along with newcomers, the Cardinals have plenty of veteran leadership and it starts with sophomore Alexis Dallas. Dallas was the MVP of the NCR Women's Division I National Championship game and has been a force for the Cardinals on both sides of the ball. She leads the team in nearly every statistical defensive category this season, and has been a force on offense as well. She was the team's second leading scorer during the 15's season, and looks to bring that tenacity to the tournament field. The Cardinals have also seen the return of Bella Gullatta after injury and her and Marissa Hudson have been a dynamic duo in the kicking game. Both have been sure fire with the foot throughout the season and will look to add as many conversion kicks as they can throughout the tournament.
Heading into this year's CRC National 7's Schedule, the Cardinals find themselves sitting as the #5 seed in the NCR East Division. Sitting atop the East Division is the Cardinal's nemesis from early in the season AIC as the #1 seed. Also included in the bracket are #2 Army, #3 New Haven, #4 Bowdoin, #6 St. Bonaventure, #7 Mount St. Mary's, and #8 Norwich. The Cardinals will have to win five games in a row to take home their second National Championship of the season and face a strong Bowdin team to kick things off. The winner of their round one match will then take on the winner of AIC and Norwich, setting up a tough path for the Cardinals as they try to play their way through the National Championship bracket.
The Details
The Wheeling University Women's Rugby Team begins their run in the 2025 CRC National 7's against Bowdoin in the Stadium with kick-off at 9:20 PM. You can watch the action live on The Rugby Network or follow along on our social medias all day long.
