HAMDEN, Conn. – The University of New England women's rugby team continued its spring schedule on Sunday at the Quinnipiac Bobcats 7s Tournament.
 
The Nor'easters held their own against some tough DI and DII opponents. The first two matches of the day were played in steady downpour. UNE was defeated by Sacred Heart, 35-0, to open the day and fell to American International College, 24-10 in their second match of the afternoon. Johanna Robinson and Mackenzie Burke each scored tries against the Yellow Jackets. Though the team finished pool play 0-2, the point differential ranked them third out of five in the Plate Division and advanced them to the semifinals.
 
In the semis, the Nor'easters met up with AIC once again. The contest was 5-5 late in the first half and UNE had a strong push that AIC held off just outside the try line, drawing a knock on just after the horn to end the half. The Nor'easters took a 12-5 lead, but the Yellow Jackets scored immediately off of the ensuing kick, and then took the lead with just over a minute to play in the contest. UNE made one last push but a key try-line tackle was the difference between victory and defeat as AIC was able to hold on for the 15-12 win. Burke scored both UNE tries and made a conversion in the match.
 
The team saw steady progression throughout the day. Celeste Valerio was a true playmaker and helped keep the UNE offense steady and a regular threat throughout its matches. Kati Whitcomb came off the bench in all three matches and provided some extra offensive and defensive punch.
 
UNE will wrap up its schedule on Saturday at the Bowdoin Polar Bear 7s.