Princeton University Athletics
Women's Rugby Celebrates Landmark Season at Spring Banquet
April 30, 2026 | Women's Rugby
Program's First-Ever Winning Season Highlighted by Historic Tournament Results, Spring Season Awards
PRINCETON, N.J. — The Princeton University women's rugby team gathered on Apr. 29 at the historic Palmer House on Bayard Lane for its Spring Banquet — a celebration befitting a season that Coach Lauren Rhode called "beyond all expectations."
The Tigers closed their spring campaign with a 12-11 record, the program's first-ever winning season as a varsity program, and capped the spring 7s circuit with a #2 finish at the Tropical 7s tournament in Tampa, Florida — and the #1 finish among all university teams in the field.
The season's highlights were many: an undefeated run at the West Chester 7s tournament, a thrilling 14-minute double-overtime semifinal battle at Tropical 7s against Southern Nazarene University (reigning D1 NCR National Champions), and a scoring output of 419 points and 73 tries across the spring season. The team also logged 125 repetitions of 150m sprints and 24 weight room sessions as part of a disciplined strength & conditioning program throughout the season.
At the banquet, Coach Rhode reflected on the program's transformation since joining in late January, crediting the team's commitment to a "Smart, Fast, Fierce" brand of rugby and a culture built on trust, accountability, and joy.
"You all bought in beyond my wildest dreams," Rhode told the team. "What you built this spring is something you did together — and you'll get to carry it with pride for the rest of your lives."
Spring Season Award Winners
Four awards were presented to recognize standout individual contributions across the spring campaign:
Attacking Player of the Season — Laura Barnds '27 A walk-on who joined the program 2.5 years ago with no prior rugby experience, Barnds emerged as a dominant attacking force this spring. She made every possession feel dangerous with her speed, power, and ability to read defensive shape — topping the team's try-scoring and line-breaking leaderboards. Notably, she also led the team in interceptions and defensive tries held up, demonstrating the kind of two-way impact that defines elite 7s play.
Defensive Player of the Season — Lindsey Mulligan '28 Mulligan brought what Rhode described as "joy in contact" to every match — relentless closing speed, physicality, and a tackle success rate that was among the team's best all season. Her standout quality: exceptional Energy After Tackle (EAT), consistently hunting play and returning to her feet with urgency that lifted the entire defensive unit.
Most Versatile Player of the Season — Stella McBride '28 McBride, who walked on 1.5 years ago, began the spring in the forwards and ended it as a scoring threat in the backs as well — a rare combination that Rhode likened to playing Defensive Tackle and Wide Receiver in the same game. She not only made the transition seamlessly but scored long-range tries doing it, embodying the program's spirit of continuous growth.
Breakout Player of the Season — Lehua Harris '29 Less than seven months into her Princeton rugby career, Harris demonstrated a maturity and coachability that belied her first-year status. Her understanding of the game deepened visibly week over week — from learning 7s structures in early training to executing under pressure on the biggest stages. Her athleticism opened the door; her work ethic blew it wide open.
Looking Ahead
Coach Rhode closed the evening with a reference to the program's guiding mission — Artemis, the goddess of the hunt — and challenged the team to set the tone for what comes next. Surrounded by Flying Tiger Tour stuffed animals, a nod to the program's growing alumni tradition that all of the Seniors graduating from Princeton Rugby (women and men) will be invited to join soon, student-athletes wrote letters to next year's team to be sealed in a time capsule until fall preseason that begins August 20th, with the opening match of the fall to follow on September 5th.
"Our first-ever winning season as a varsity program is an enormous milestone that you achieved — together," said Rhode. "And now we turn to mission 2."
For full results, tournament recaps, and fall schedule (coming soon), visit goprincetontigers.com
PRINCETON, N.J. — The Princeton University women's rugby team gathered on Apr. 29 at the historic Palmer House on Bayard Lane for its Spring Banquet — a celebration befitting a season that Coach Lauren Rhode called "beyond all expectations."
The Tigers closed their spring campaign with a 12-11 record, the program's first-ever winning season as a varsity program, and capped the spring 7s circuit with a #2 finish at the Tropical 7s tournament in Tampa, Florida — and the #1 finish among all university teams in the field.
The season's highlights were many: an undefeated run at the West Chester 7s tournament, a thrilling 14-minute double-overtime semifinal battle at Tropical 7s against Southern Nazarene University (reigning D1 NCR National Champions), and a scoring output of 419 points and 73 tries across the spring season. The team also logged 125 repetitions of 150m sprints and 24 weight room sessions as part of a disciplined strength & conditioning program throughout the season.
At the banquet, Coach Rhode reflected on the program's transformation since joining in late January, crediting the team's commitment to a "Smart, Fast, Fierce" brand of rugby and a culture built on trust, accountability, and joy.
"You all bought in beyond my wildest dreams," Rhode told the team. "What you built this spring is something you did together — and you'll get to carry it with pride for the rest of your lives."
Spring Season Award Winners
Four awards were presented to recognize standout individual contributions across the spring campaign:
Attacking Player of the Season — Laura Barnds '27 A walk-on who joined the program 2.5 years ago with no prior rugby experience, Barnds emerged as a dominant attacking force this spring. She made every possession feel dangerous with her speed, power, and ability to read defensive shape — topping the team's try-scoring and line-breaking leaderboards. Notably, she also led the team in interceptions and defensive tries held up, demonstrating the kind of two-way impact that defines elite 7s play.
Defensive Player of the Season — Lindsey Mulligan '28 Mulligan brought what Rhode described as "joy in contact" to every match — relentless closing speed, physicality, and a tackle success rate that was among the team's best all season. Her standout quality: exceptional Energy After Tackle (EAT), consistently hunting play and returning to her feet with urgency that lifted the entire defensive unit.
Most Versatile Player of the Season — Stella McBride '28 McBride, who walked on 1.5 years ago, began the spring in the forwards and ended it as a scoring threat in the backs as well — a rare combination that Rhode likened to playing Defensive Tackle and Wide Receiver in the same game. She not only made the transition seamlessly but scored long-range tries doing it, embodying the program's spirit of continuous growth.
Breakout Player of the Season — Lehua Harris '29 Less than seven months into her Princeton rugby career, Harris demonstrated a maturity and coachability that belied her first-year status. Her understanding of the game deepened visibly week over week — from learning 7s structures in early training to executing under pressure on the biggest stages. Her athleticism opened the door; her work ethic blew it wide open.
Looking Ahead
Coach Rhode closed the evening with a reference to the program's guiding mission — Artemis, the goddess of the hunt — and challenged the team to set the tone for what comes next. Surrounded by Flying Tiger Tour stuffed animals, a nod to the program's growing alumni tradition that all of the Seniors graduating from Princeton Rugby (women and men) will be invited to join soon, student-athletes wrote letters to next year's team to be sealed in a time capsule until fall preseason that begins August 20th, with the opening match of the fall to follow on September 5th.
"Our first-ever winning season as a varsity program is an enormous milestone that you achieved — together," said Rhode. "And now we turn to mission 2."
For full results, tournament recaps, and fall schedule (coming soon), visit goprincetontigers.com
Players Mentioned
Utility Forward
/ Women's Rugby
Forward
/ Women's Rugby
Utility
/ Women's Rugby
Center
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