May 3, 2025

CRAA National Championship Challenger 7s
Kuntz Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana

Cup Semi Final: Stanford 40 - GCU 7
Cup Final: Stanford 19 - Cal 7

The Cardinal entered day two after going 2-0 in pool play to face Grand Canyon University in the cup semi final match of the CRAA Challenger 7s. GCU held the Cardinal in their own half for the first couple minutes of the match with high pressure defense and struck first in the semi final match. The Cardinal maintained composure working out of their half to even the score. From then on, there was no stopping the Cardinal who would score three more tries. The Cardinal showcased their defensive fortitude, shutting down GCU attack throughout the park and capitalizing on penalties against the Lopes. 

The second cup semi final match up was played between Cal and Cal Poly. Despite a valiant effort by Cal Poly who had upset GCU the day prior, Cal came away with the victory to set up a Cal vs Stanford final; a repeat of the CRAA D1 XVs Championship two weeks prior. 

The final was a second opportunity for Cal to face Stanford in a National title match and a chance for Stanford to claim both a 15s and 7s National Championship in the same season, a first occurrence for the Cardinal. 

The Cup Final started off by an early try by Cal speedster Jane Bassil. The Cardinal regathered possession at the next kickoff however passing errors stifled sure tries for the Cardinal on the edge. In the 3rd minute, the Cardinal's aggressive defense at a Cal 5m scrum forced a loose ball and Zoe Colloredo-Mansfeld was quick to pick the ball up and dive over the line for the try. Laura Bocek converted the try to even the score at 7-7. In the final minute of the half, the Cardinal maintained possession over the course of several phases as the Cal defense condensed. Sydney Davis connected with Captain Journey Washingtonhigh for a try along the sideline. Bocek added the extra 2 points to put the Cardinal up 14-7 at the half. 

A battle to the finish, the second half boasted multiple changes of possessions and an admirable defensive stance by the Cardinal.  The Cardinal carried over their determined defense work rate from the semi finals to continually hold off Cal after crucial tackles at critical times. This was on full display in the final minute of the game at a Cal scrum where Mariah Overby looped outside the Cardinal backline and found space down the sideline from 40 meters out. A footrace ensued with Washingtonhigh and Davis on the chase. Understanding the gravity of the moment with only a one try differential in the match, Washingtonhigh and Davis forced Overby into touch just 10 meters from the Cardinal tryline. 

A well executed lineout under pressure with just seconds remaining showed the strength and resilience of Cardinal. Emma Cruz threw in the lineout to Kirsten Lees, lifted by Ahmyah Hicks and Leila Wang Gaouette, and moved the ball to Bocek. From there the familiar Davis and Washingtonhigh duo isolated a defender to set the wing free. In emphatic fashion, the Cardinal Captain strided 90 meters beating three defenders to seal the National Championship victory for the Cardinal. The final whistle blew and the Cardinal celebrated with family, alumni, teammates and friends supporting from the stands and from back home. Washingtonhigh was awarded MVP, a well deserved honor for the Captain who led her team to a championship in her final season with the Cardinal.

Stanford Women's Rugby has made history in an undefeated season claiming three National Championships in less than 365 days with the 2024 and 2025 CRAA XVs D1 Championships and the 2025 7s Championship.

Follow @stanford_rugby on Instagram to check out the Try of the Final and @oshulo for action shots from Indianapolis by Oscar Lopez. Replays of the games can be found between the Rugby Network and the CRAA YouTube channel. 
 

Semi Final : Stanford 24 - GCU 7

Tries: Sydney Davis, Emma Cruz, Ahmyah Hicks, Laura Bocek
Conversions: Bocek (2)

Final : Stanford 19 - Cal 7

Tries: Zoe Colloredo-Mansfeld, Journey Washingtonhigh (2)
Conversions: Laura Bocek (2)

Stanford Women's Rugby
CRAA Challenger 7s Roster

1. Kirsten Lees '27

2. Zoe Colloredo-Mansfeld '26

3. Leila Wang Gaouette '26

4. Laura Bocek '25

5. Emma Cruz '25

6. Sydney Davis '25

7. Journey Washingtonhigh '25 (Captain)

8. Chisa Ogaki '28

9. Hope Adhanom-Shipman '26

10. Ahmyah Hicks '26

11. Jacqui McLean '27

12. Isabelle McNabb '26

Team Manager/Media: Vanessa Onuoha '25