WOU’s rugby teams head to national finals

Western’s women’s+ 7s rugby team is in Boyds, Maryland this week to take on the nation’s best. Pictured, left to right, for the Wolves: Estella Miranda-Aguilar and Emily Moore (with ball). Photo submitted.

Western Oregon’s women’s+ rugby 7s team added two new entries to the university’s book on sports history.

The Wolves 7s not only played in their first qualifying tournament. They won said tournament to advance to their first berth at this week’s National Collegiate Rugby Championship in Boyds, Maryland.

“Our program has been around for 24 years, and this is the first time that our 7s team has even played in a qualifier,” said WOU coach Nic Smith. “So to win that tournament and secure a spot at nationals is monumental for our club.”

Not that there was any question amongst the Wolf pack that they were up to the task.

“You don’t go to a qualifier with the intention of losing. We knew that all the teams had the same goal in mind, but that only one team was going to take the win, and we knew it was going to be us. It had to be us,” Smith said. “We’ve worked so hard and dedicated so much time and energy into this. We had to believe that we were the team taking home the trophy.”

Willamette University, College of Idaho and University of Idaho joined WOU at the qualifier, aka the Fool’s Gold Rugby 7’s Tournament, held earlier at Boise State University. WOU won it all by routing the two Idaho schools and tying the Bearcats.

The Wolves outscored the competition 59-15 in their three matches.

“My team went out there and laid it all on the line. Sure, there were some mistakes made. But they bounced back from those mishaps and secured their spot for nationals,” Smith said. “We had some great runs, hard hits and phenomenal assists that resulted in tries, and our defense was some of the best we’ve had all season.”

Nowhere was the Wolves’ strong defensive play more evident, and more needed, then against Willamette. The two Oregon teams battled to a 5-5 standstill.

“Willamette brought a different level of play than (we’ve seen) in past games. They made us put in the work,” Smith said. “Our offense wasn’t as strong. But our defense is what kept us from taking a loss.”

Quinn Ridder was credited by Smith with leading the defensive pursuit. Ridder prevented several scores by running across the pitch to chase down and tackle Willamette players.

Chasing a good time was on Ridder’s mind when she joined the team.

“As a rookie, I just wanted to try something new and have fun during my senior year. Then all of a sudden we’re making program history,” Ridder said. “All our hard work and dedication is paying off, and it’s a very rewarding experience.”

The WOU women’s team celebrate after winning their qualifying tournament in Boise. Photo submitted.

The fun factor influenced another player’s decision to join the team.

“I just wanted to play because it was fun, and now we’re going to the national tournament and hopefully bringing home the win,” Jada Miller said. “It’s just such a massive moment for the team and myself … I couldn’t be prouder of my fellow Rugger Wolves.”

The Wolves accomplish this with a roster that included only nine players. For the players, roster size was never an issue. Instead, it was just another day on the pitch.

“We have been so use to low numbers that it was not a concern for us, as far as fatigue or motivation goes,” player Emily Moore said. “We knew going in that we were one of the smaller teams in terms of number(s). We trust each other enough to rely on one another for reassurance and help on the field.”

If this all sounds familiar - Wolves rugby team makes it to nationals - it’s because it should. Last month the men’s team secured their spot at nationals.

Thus, sports historians might need to add a third entry, as 2024 marks the first time WOU sent men’s and women’s+ rugby 7s teams to the national finals in the same year. As of two weeks ago, no other school from any division could say as much.

“I’ve always felt we were overshadowed by the men’s team,” Ridder said. “So I’m excited to see what opportunities and recognition this brings to our team and to women’s rugby.”

Members of the Western Oregon women’s+ 7s rugby team are going to the National Collegiate Rugby Championship later this month. Pictured, left to right: Volunteer Mike Gonzalez, Coral Davis, Emily Moore, Jada Miller, Estela Miranda, Ever Young, Quinn Ridder, Tessa Medina and coach Nic Smith. Photo submitted by Emily Miller.

The message is clear for those who want to mix college studies and play rugby for a powerhouse.

“Our success shows that Western Oregon University really values rugby as an avenue to help students pursue a passion and be successful,” said Andy Main, the university’s associate director of campus recreation. “It shows what can be accomplished with hard-working and dedicated individuals at all levels of a program.”

Or as Miller put it.

“Being able to all say that we won this opportunity as a team makes me so excited for our future as a rugby club,” she said. “I have never been so full of pride in my life.”

The only other time a WOU’s women’s+ rugby team qualified for nationals was in 2004-05, but that was a 15s team that ultimately took third place.

The men’s tournament is also this weekend at Boyds.

Donations are being accepted online by both teams to assist with related costs.

Also on the women’s roster are volunteer Mike Gonzalez, Coral Davis, Estela Miranda, Ever Young and Tessa Medina.