One year after fielding a team again, women’s club rugby is taking control of the pitch. Following a season of foundation building and ending the 2024 season with one victory, the Hawks have blanked out competition they previously fell to.

With a larger roster than last season, the Hawks ended the 2025 developmental season with multiple wins and tight finishes at the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference Nov. 8.

Head coach Greg Ebersole said the best satisfaction was seeing improvement as players “grew into their roles.” After assigning positions, Ebersole said the players worked hard to understand the game. The Hawks caught on quickly, allowing them to learn and compete in multiple positions.

“It’s easy with these girls because this year — specifically this semester — [they] put it all out there,” Ebersole said

Fourteen new players this season committed to three practices a week and studying rugby terminology. The 27-player roster played multiple motley matches to gain competitive game day experience in the sport.

“At the end of the day, you want to win,” Ebersole said. “But more importantly, you want to see the players improve over the season. I think every player this season did that.”

First-year Noelle Santiago wanted to continue playing rugby after high school. Coming in with two years of experience, Santiago enjoys spending extra time with players and teaching them the  game of rugby. Sharing these experiences not only strengthened the team but grew friendships.

“We’re all just there to help each other,” Santiago said.

Helping players out has extended beyond team lines. When going against teams without a complete roster, the Hawks have been quick to sub in for the opposing teams. During the St. Joe’s women’s rugby tournament Sept. 27, Santiago played a whole game as a sub for University of Pennsylvania. Santiago still, to this day, keeps in contact with the UPenn players.

“No matter what team, everyone is just so inclusive and accepting,” Santiago said. “You have to be because you’re literally putting your body on the line with these people.”

Senior Brianna Kelly, president and captain for the past two years, said players will “gladly step in” to sub for opposing teams.

“We used to be in that position where we were asking teams for girls,” Kelly said. “Because of how much it meant to us to receive those players, we wanted to give back to that rugby community.”

Even during tough games, the team continues to support one another. Sophomore Bailey Kearns said the team has built a “wonderful community,” both on and off the field. With the majority of players in their first season, the team relied on each other to progress from game to game.

Santiago agreed the unity built through training and team bonding helped strengthen the group. After establishing strong relationships, the team broke down and analyzed games. This starting point allowed the team to fine-tune formations and aggression with the ball.

The camaraderie was the “final push” to have a strong turnout at the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference, Kearns said.

“We realized that the most important aspect of this game is each other,” Kearns said. “So, we rely on each other to progress.”

After reflecting on building the team with senior Tess Margis from two to 27 players since the fall of 2023, Kelly couldn’t be prouder. Kelly said she feels comfort in knowing that when her senior season comes to an end, there are girls who will grow the program.

“I know that I can trust them to carry it on because me and Tess were able to build a good foundation for these girls for the years to come,” Kelly said.

Tess Margis ’26 is an assistant sports editor on The Hawk.