Women's Rugby
An Army of Defenders
Co-captain Cassidy Bargell looks to evade tacklers in the 2019 National Championship against Army West Point. Bargell accounted for 10 points in Harvard’s dismantling of Mount Saint Mary’s.
Women’s Rugby Begins National Title Defense with Rout of Mount Saint Mary’s
In its last season, the Crimson (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) took home the NIRA National Championship, but that was over a year and a half ago. Due to the Ivy League’s decision to cancel the 2020-21 rugby season amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Harvard entered the game with newcomers making up almost half the team.
Women’s Rugby Begins Quest for Another National Championship
A year and a half later, the Crimson is finally back and ready to further the program’s success. However, the team is making sure to approach this year’s campaign with a calculated mindset.
Title Defense
Harvard women's rugby finished the 2019 campaign as national champs, defeating Army West Point in the cold and rain. Friday's contest against Mount Saint Mary's is the first time back for the Crimson since that day in November 2019.
Senior Perspective: Gabrielle Fernandopulle
As of June 1, it’s been 562 days since we last competed. But I’ve felt the strength and lessons of my team more so in the last 562 days off the field than I could have imagined. Harvard Women’s Rugby, more than anything else at Harvard, taught me how to learn, how to be a teammate, and how to be brave.
It Takes Two to Tackle Jarrell
Erica Jarrell resists two opposing defenders in the Crimson's 2019 NIRA national championship victory over West Point.
Harvard Women’s Rugby Standouts One Step Closer to Representing the United States on Rugby’s Biggest Stage
“Harvard kind of snuck up on everyone. I believe that all of us are really dedicated to improving ourselves for the betterment of the team and finding ways to learn and improve on and off the field to help the team, which were definitely values that were instilled at Harvard.”
Bargell Breaks Through Defender
Cassidy Bargell evades an opponent as she helps Harvard women's rugby win the 2019 NIRA National Championship.
Fernandopulle Finds the Try Zone
Gabrielle Fernandopulle '21 (#7) scores a try in the 2019 season home opener against Dartmouth.
Mask Up
Shelby Lin '14 side-lunges in a warm-up session with USA Rugby. Covid-19 safety protocols, such as mask-wearing on the field, are in full effect.
Game Face
In a normal year, Fella would be donning the Harvard uniform and advancing the ball downfield.
Huddle Up
While Fella still will be able to maintain a training regimen during the pandemic, she and her other teammates will miss out on in-person camaraderie.
With 12-Hour Time Differences and Unprecedented Uncertainty, Rugby Standout Sofie Fella Embraces the New Normal
Fella had found her rhythm in her life at Harvard until it was abruptly interrupted in January of 2020.
It's Lonely at the Top: Women's Rugby, National Champs and Team of the Year
On Mignone Field, in front of a large and boisterous home crowd, the Harvard women’s rugby team defeated Army West Point 18-7 to be named the 2019 National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) National Champions for the first time in program history. After a season full of adversity and a couple stinging losses, the team pulled together to achieve a historic season.
Let's Keep It Simple: National Champions
The national champions pose with their medals, trophy, and banner. The Crimson would lose just twice over the course of the season...before later avenging both losses (to Dartmouth and Army West Point) in the playoffs.
It's a Wrap
Sophomore Cassidy Bargell looks to elude the Black Knights' defender. In the game, while Army attempted to wrap up the Crimson, Harvard wrapped up the season in victory: with a national championship.
Women's Rugby Captures First-Ever NIRA National Championship
The Harvard women’s rugby team was named the NIRA National Champions for the first time in program history this past weekend. The Crimson defeated Army West Point, 18-7, at Mignone Field in front of Harvard’s home crowd.
We Are the Champions
After avenging its previous loss to Dartmouth with a semifinal win, the Crimson took home the national championship with a victory over Army.
Stiff Competition
With a revenge victory over Dartmouth, Harvard advanced to the NIRA Championships to take on Army for the crown.
Women's Rugby Beats Dartmouth, Advances to NIRA Championships
In its third matchup of this season, the Harvard women’s rugby team got its revenge and defeated Dartmouth in a stunning victory, 23-22, this past weekend in the NIRA semifinal game, earning a spot in the NIRA National Championship this coming weekend.
The 'Ole College Try
Harvard was unable to top its rival Dartmouth, but a rematch is scheduled next month.