Going into their third tournament of the season, West Chester University women’s rugby looks to come out on top at Princeton University’s (PU) Emperor 7s tournament on April 8.
The Golden Rams attended the last Emperor 7s tournament with two teams in the 2022 season. They had the Purple and Gold teams. The Purple team is the A-side and the Gold team is the B-side.
The Purple team finished third in the tournament. They had a 3–1 record, only falling to PU.
The Gold team finished with a 3–1 record as well, defeating Boston University, The College of NJ and PU.
After a successful home tournament April 1, the team will look to improve their record at the Emperor 7s.
Freshman Sophia Hoyer is excited to travel and play at Princeton after playing them at the WCU 7s.
“If you take the win the first time, that second win is not guaranteed,” Hoyer said. “You learn stuff and they also learn a lot from you.”
With this being the third tournament WCU is putting in a Purple team and a Gold team, the younger players are able to get important time to improve their personal skills and abilities.
“The biggest thing is improving our rugby knowledge,” Hoyer said. “I feel it gets better with every game.”
The teams in the Emperor 7s may be different than last year.
“[I am] very excited to see what they have planned,” senior Anne Kelekolio said.
Last season, each WCU team lost at least once. This year, the Golden Rams are looking to go undefeated.
“I think we’re gonna put up a fight,” Kelekolio said. “We have quite a few good players and new players that are coming up to beat them.”
The Emperor 7s is an away tournament, but last season was held in Pennsylvania.
Ty Hickey is a second-year media and culture major with a Chinese minor.