Princeton University Athletics
Saturday, April 4
Tampa, Fla.
2:00 PM
Princeton University
vs
Tropical 7s
Women's Rugby Ends Tropical 7s With 5-1 Record
April 04, 2026 | Women's Rugby
Championship Central
TAMPA, Fla. — Princeton Women's Rugby delivered one of the most memorable performances in program history at the 2026 Tropical 7s Tournament, going 5-1 across six matches to finish #1 among all university teams and #2 overall in their 16-team division — all at North America's largest rugby festival.
Amidst more than 230 teams and 2,500 athletes ranging from U12 to professional level at the Tampa Sportsplex, Princeton defeated opponents including a college All-Star side, two NCAA varsity programs, the Canadian tournament favorites, and the reigning Division I National Champions before falling in the championship final to an All-Star select side composed of USA Rugby pathway players.
"This weekend was extraordinary on every level," said head coach Lauren Rhode. "Our Princeton student-athletes showed up with joy, ferocity, and hard-earned confidence. Defeating the reigning national champions in double-overtime to reach the final, in what I believe is one of the finest games this program has ever played, is something we'll all carry for a long time. I am so proud of every single Tiger who competed this weekend, along with our Tigers at home who competed for spots and lifted up our players who took the pitch."
Princeton has roared out to an 11-3 record so far this spring and plays next at the Ivy 7s Tournament at Harvard on April 11, followed by CRAA Nationals in Indianapolis on April 24-25.
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
GAME 1 — W, 24-14 vs. Florida Fury (U23 All-Stars)
Halftime: 17-0
Princeton opened the tournament against a select side of Under-23 players from across Florida. The Tigers wasted no time: a quick lineout from Hazel Pron '29 to Ciara Loughran '26 led to the opening try in the first minute, setting the tone for a high-tempo performance that Florida could not match. Laura Barnds '27 added a chase-down in transition, Lindsey Mulligan '28 forced a key poaching turnover, and Princeton dominated the set piece, including winning an opposing scrum. A Stella McBride '28 double tackle sequence and a Ciara Loughran S-curve through traffic were among the afternoon's standout moments.
Tries: Hazel Pron (1:04, con.); Laura Barnds (2:50); Stella McBride (4:06); Ciara Loughran (2:52, con.)
GAME 2 — W, 38-7 vs. Lander University (NCAA Varsity)
Halftime: 31-0
Princeton turned it up a level against Lander, building a 31-0 halftime lead before finishing 38-7. Annie Huettel '28 converted a quick zone turnover into a try, and Laura Barnds '27 recorded two interceptions in the second half alone. Maizy Miller '29 added a key poaching moment while Barnds and Malinka Kwemo '27 each contributed big linebreaks.
Tries: Hazel Pron (~1:00, con.); Annie Huettel (2:02); Laura Barnds (3:39)/Malinka Kwemo con.; Hazel Pron (4:52, con.); Laura Barnds (6:42); Ciara Loughran (1:35, con.)
GAME 3 — W, 31-10 vs. La Salle University (NCAA Varsity)
Halftime: 17-5
Princeton closed pool play with a 31-10 win over La Salle, with Ciara Loughran '26 producing a multi-try performance and Hazel Pron '29 and Lehua Harris '29 contributing huge contact moments. The Tigers outscored La Salle by 22 points despite a 17-5 halftime margin, finishing strong with a disciplined second half.
Tries: Ciara Loughran (0:50); Ciara Loughran (4:20); Maizy Miller (5:52)/Ciara Loughran con.; Ciara Loughran (5:08)/Hazel Pron con.; Laura Barnds (8:08)/Hazel Pron con.
GAME 4 (QUARTERFINAL) — W, 12-7 vs. Canada Misfits
Halftime: 12-0
In perhaps the most anticipated match of Day 1's bracket, Princeton took on the Canadian side widely considered the tournament favorites — and dominated the first half, holding them scoreless through 7 minutes before closing 12-7. Malinka Kwemo '27 generated the game's first linebreak just under a minute in. Maizy Miller '29 broke the line at 2:45 and scored, with Hazel Pron converting. Pron then added her own try at 5:45 off an interception. In the second half, Laura Barnds '27 sealed momentum with another interception, and Maizy Miller touched a ball in-goal to deny a Canadian try in the final minutes.
Tries: Maizy Miller (2:45)/Hazel Pron con.; Hazel Pron (5:45, interception)
GAME 5 (SEMIFINAL) — W, 17-12 OT vs. Southern Nazarene University (Reigning D1 National Champions)
Halftime: 7-5
Princeton's semifinal against the reigning Division I National Champions will be remembered as one of the greatest matches in program history — and one of the longest. Tied at 12-12 after regulation, the game required a staggering 14 minutes of Double-Overtime, a record for the tournament, before captain Malinka Kwemo '27 scored the winning try in a moment that encapsulated everything this Princeton team is built on: brilliance, relentless work rate, championship fitness, and an unstoppable spirit that simply would not yield.
Laura Barnds '27 opened scoring in the first half, then snatched a kick at 3:12 in a highlight-reel sequence. Lindsey Mulligan '28 scored in the second half with Hazel Pron converting to level the game. Myah Natorp '29 took on four defenders in a single carry. Charlie Wolfe '29 made two critical linebreaks in overtime. The defense — led by Ciara Loughran '26, Maizy Miller '29, Annie Huettel '28, and Malinka Kwemo — held SNU scoreless across 14 exhausting overtime minutes before Kwemo delivered the moment Princeton Rugby will not soon forget.
Tries: Laura Barnds (6:21, 1st half); Lindsey Mulligan (4:52, 2nd half)/Hazel Pron con.; Malinka Kwemo (OT — winning try)
GAME 6 (FINAL) — L, 26-12 vs. SARC 7s Sharks (USA Pathway All-Stars)
Halftime: 12-7
Princeton faced an All-Star select side composed of players in the USA Rugby pathway in the championship final, competing with everything they had and trailing only 12-7 at halftime. Lindsey Mulligan '28 scored both of Princeton's tries, with Hazel Pron '29 converting each. Myah Natorp '29 generated early pressure and was held up near the line in a key defensive moment. Ciara Loughran '26 recovered a late turnover. Despite the final scoreline, the Tigers' performance drew admiration from spectators and fans watching online alike.
Tries: Lindsey Mulligan (7:25, 1st half)/Hazel Pron con.; Lindsey Mulligan (3:58, 2nd half)/Hazel Pron con.
BROADCAST FEATURE
In a special highlight from Day 1, Hazel Pron '29, Lindsey Mulligan '28, and Maizy Miller '29 were featured in the Tropical 7s broadcast booth. Watch their 6min interview at the 1:14:18 mark of the Day 1 livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhuY283jLJw
TOURNAMENT ROSTER
Princeton's Tropical 7s squad was 42% freshmen, reflecting the program's investment in its future.
#1 Stella McBride '28
#2 Lehua Harris '29
#3 Charlie Wolfe '29
#4 Maizy Miller '29
#5 Laura Barnds '27
#6 Lindsey Mulligan '28
#7 Myah Natorp '29
#8 Sam Handwerk '26
#9 Annie Huettel '28
#10 Hazel Pron '29
#11 Ciara Loughran '26
#12 Reyna Palmer '28
#13 Malinka Kwemo '27
Team Manager: Annabelle Edwards
Athletic Trainer: Amy Graber
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ally Christman
Sr. Associate Director of Athletics: Jess Ward
Head Coach: Lauren Rhode
LOOKING AHEAD
April 11 — Ivy 7s at Harvard (Boston, MA)
April 18 — BYE (team building)
April 24-25 — CRAA Nationals (Indianapolis, IN)
May 23 — Awards Dinner (Fri) & Alumni Match at Reunions (Sat)
TAMPA, Fla. — Princeton Women's Rugby delivered one of the most memorable performances in program history at the 2026 Tropical 7s Tournament, going 5-1 across six matches to finish #1 among all university teams and #2 overall in their 16-team division — all at North America's largest rugby festival.
Amidst more than 230 teams and 2,500 athletes ranging from U12 to professional level at the Tampa Sportsplex, Princeton defeated opponents including a college All-Star side, two NCAA varsity programs, the Canadian tournament favorites, and the reigning Division I National Champions before falling in the championship final to an All-Star select side composed of USA Rugby pathway players.
"This weekend was extraordinary on every level," said head coach Lauren Rhode. "Our Princeton student-athletes showed up with joy, ferocity, and hard-earned confidence. Defeating the reigning national champions in double-overtime to reach the final, in what I believe is one of the finest games this program has ever played, is something we'll all carry for a long time. I am so proud of every single Tiger who competed this weekend, along with our Tigers at home who competed for spots and lifted up our players who took the pitch."
Princeton has roared out to an 11-3 record so far this spring and plays next at the Ivy 7s Tournament at Harvard on April 11, followed by CRAA Nationals in Indianapolis on April 24-25.
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
GAME 1 — W, 24-14 vs. Florida Fury (U23 All-Stars)
Halftime: 17-0
Princeton opened the tournament against a select side of Under-23 players from across Florida. The Tigers wasted no time: a quick lineout from Hazel Pron '29 to Ciara Loughran '26 led to the opening try in the first minute, setting the tone for a high-tempo performance that Florida could not match. Laura Barnds '27 added a chase-down in transition, Lindsey Mulligan '28 forced a key poaching turnover, and Princeton dominated the set piece, including winning an opposing scrum. A Stella McBride '28 double tackle sequence and a Ciara Loughran S-curve through traffic were among the afternoon's standout moments.
Tries: Hazel Pron (1:04, con.); Laura Barnds (2:50); Stella McBride (4:06); Ciara Loughran (2:52, con.)
GAME 2 — W, 38-7 vs. Lander University (NCAA Varsity)
Halftime: 31-0
Princeton turned it up a level against Lander, building a 31-0 halftime lead before finishing 38-7. Annie Huettel '28 converted a quick zone turnover into a try, and Laura Barnds '27 recorded two interceptions in the second half alone. Maizy Miller '29 added a key poaching moment while Barnds and Malinka Kwemo '27 each contributed big linebreaks.
Tries: Hazel Pron (~1:00, con.); Annie Huettel (2:02); Laura Barnds (3:39)/Malinka Kwemo con.; Hazel Pron (4:52, con.); Laura Barnds (6:42); Ciara Loughran (1:35, con.)
GAME 3 — W, 31-10 vs. La Salle University (NCAA Varsity)
Halftime: 17-5
Princeton closed pool play with a 31-10 win over La Salle, with Ciara Loughran '26 producing a multi-try performance and Hazel Pron '29 and Lehua Harris '29 contributing huge contact moments. The Tigers outscored La Salle by 22 points despite a 17-5 halftime margin, finishing strong with a disciplined second half.
Tries: Ciara Loughran (0:50); Ciara Loughran (4:20); Maizy Miller (5:52)/Ciara Loughran con.; Ciara Loughran (5:08)/Hazel Pron con.; Laura Barnds (8:08)/Hazel Pron con.
GAME 4 (QUARTERFINAL) — W, 12-7 vs. Canada Misfits
Halftime: 12-0
In perhaps the most anticipated match of Day 1's bracket, Princeton took on the Canadian side widely considered the tournament favorites — and dominated the first half, holding them scoreless through 7 minutes before closing 12-7. Malinka Kwemo '27 generated the game's first linebreak just under a minute in. Maizy Miller '29 broke the line at 2:45 and scored, with Hazel Pron converting. Pron then added her own try at 5:45 off an interception. In the second half, Laura Barnds '27 sealed momentum with another interception, and Maizy Miller touched a ball in-goal to deny a Canadian try in the final minutes.
Tries: Maizy Miller (2:45)/Hazel Pron con.; Hazel Pron (5:45, interception)
GAME 5 (SEMIFINAL) — W, 17-12 OT vs. Southern Nazarene University (Reigning D1 National Champions)
Halftime: 7-5
Princeton's semifinal against the reigning Division I National Champions will be remembered as one of the greatest matches in program history — and one of the longest. Tied at 12-12 after regulation, the game required a staggering 14 minutes of Double-Overtime, a record for the tournament, before captain Malinka Kwemo '27 scored the winning try in a moment that encapsulated everything this Princeton team is built on: brilliance, relentless work rate, championship fitness, and an unstoppable spirit that simply would not yield.
Laura Barnds '27 opened scoring in the first half, then snatched a kick at 3:12 in a highlight-reel sequence. Lindsey Mulligan '28 scored in the second half with Hazel Pron converting to level the game. Myah Natorp '29 took on four defenders in a single carry. Charlie Wolfe '29 made two critical linebreaks in overtime. The defense — led by Ciara Loughran '26, Maizy Miller '29, Annie Huettel '28, and Malinka Kwemo — held SNU scoreless across 14 exhausting overtime minutes before Kwemo delivered the moment Princeton Rugby will not soon forget.
Tries: Laura Barnds (6:21, 1st half); Lindsey Mulligan (4:52, 2nd half)/Hazel Pron con.; Malinka Kwemo (OT — winning try)
GAME 6 (FINAL) — L, 26-12 vs. SARC 7s Sharks (USA Pathway All-Stars)
Halftime: 12-7
Princeton faced an All-Star select side composed of players in the USA Rugby pathway in the championship final, competing with everything they had and trailing only 12-7 at halftime. Lindsey Mulligan '28 scored both of Princeton's tries, with Hazel Pron '29 converting each. Myah Natorp '29 generated early pressure and was held up near the line in a key defensive moment. Ciara Loughran '26 recovered a late turnover. Despite the final scoreline, the Tigers' performance drew admiration from spectators and fans watching online alike.
Tries: Lindsey Mulligan (7:25, 1st half)/Hazel Pron con.; Lindsey Mulligan (3:58, 2nd half)/Hazel Pron con.
BROADCAST FEATURE
In a special highlight from Day 1, Hazel Pron '29, Lindsey Mulligan '28, and Maizy Miller '29 were featured in the Tropical 7s broadcast booth. Watch their 6min interview at the 1:14:18 mark of the Day 1 livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhuY283jLJw
TOURNAMENT ROSTER
Princeton's Tropical 7s squad was 42% freshmen, reflecting the program's investment in its future.
#1 Stella McBride '28
#2 Lehua Harris '29
#3 Charlie Wolfe '29
#4 Maizy Miller '29
#5 Laura Barnds '27
#6 Lindsey Mulligan '28
#7 Myah Natorp '29
#8 Sam Handwerk '26
#9 Annie Huettel '28
#10 Hazel Pron '29
#11 Ciara Loughran '26
#12 Reyna Palmer '28
#13 Malinka Kwemo '27
Team Manager: Annabelle Edwards
Athletic Trainer: Amy Graber
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ally Christman
Sr. Associate Director of Athletics: Jess Ward
Head Coach: Lauren Rhode
LOOKING AHEAD
April 11 — Ivy 7s at Harvard (Boston, MA)
April 18 — BYE (team building)
April 24-25 — CRAA Nationals (Indianapolis, IN)
May 23 — Awards Dinner (Fri) & Alumni Match at Reunions (Sat)
Players Mentioned
Utility Forward
/ Women's Rugby
Flanker
/ Women's Rugby
Forward
/ Women's Rugby
Utility Back
/ Women's Rugby
Utility Back
/ Women's Rugby
Fullback
/ Women's Rugby
Utility
/ Women's Rugby
Back
/ Women's Rugby
Center
/ Women's Rugby
Front Row/8
/ Women's Rugby
Utility Forward
/ Women's Rugby
Flyhalf
/ Women's Rugby
Utility
/ Women's RugbyThursday, June 11
Wednesday, June 10
Tuesday, June 02
Friday, May 29