Wheeling, W. Va. - In 2025, the Wheeling University Women's Rugby team capped off their first varsity season with their first run through the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) 7's Tournament field. On Friday, the team announced their 2026 spring 7's schedule, as they try and battle their way back to the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) National 7's in year two as a program. Wheeling will compete across four regular season tournaments, including their second straight year as hosts of the Nail City 7's, as they look to get back to the top of the NCR DI field. 

After putting together an undefeated 15's season in Fall of 2024, Wheeling was looking to carry that momentum into their first spring season last year. They opened the year at the Frostbite 7's, and would end up splitting their six contests to start their program's 7's history at 3-3. They followed that with a sweep of their home Wheeling 7's tournament, allowing just five points across the five matches, and added a 3-1 effort at the Brown 7's. The Cardinals would close out March with a sweep of the St. Bonaventure 7's, and closed the season with trips to the Wolverine 7's and Frostburg 7's. The Cardinals ended the regular season sitting at 19-6-1, and qualified for the 2025 CRC National 7's. They would win their first 7's match on the national stage against Bowdoin College, but ran into their nemesis AIC in the Quarterfinals. They would fall 31-14 and, after defeating the University of New Haven in the first round consolation, they would end their run with a 34-12 loss to Queens. 

The journey back to the National stage starts in Harrisonburg, Virginia at James Madison University. The Cardinals will take on the Valley 7's, giving them their first look at some of the top Women's Rugby programs in the country. The middle part of their schedule will feature a heavy regional slate, beginning with a trip to North Canton, Ohio. The Cardinals will face-off with Regional rival Walsh as part of the Cavalier 7's, with many of the local teams making the trip to the event. March will end with a homecoming for the Cardinals, as they host a home 7's tournament for the second straight season. This year's will be held on March 28th as they host the Nail City 7's at Bishop Schmitt Field. Much like last year's event, the Cardinals will welcome in local schools for a full day of Rugby action. 

Their final regular season tune-up will be their first two-day event of the season as they compete at the Gate City 7's. The event will run April 11th and 12th in Greensboro, North Carolina, hosted by Guilford College. It will be a chance for the Cardinals to play in some warmer weather, while also getting another chance to see what competition they will face on the national stage. It is all in preparation to qualify for the 2026 CRC National 7's, running April 25th and 26th in Boyds, Maryland. Last season, the Cardinal's qualified for the National Championship event in their first varsity season, and have plans to take that success even further during the 2026 season. 

The Wheeling University Women's Rugby team opens the 2026 Spring 7's Schedule on Saturday, March 7th, when they head to the Valley 7's Tournament.