GUILFORD, N.C. – The University of New England women's rugby team placed second at the inaugural NIRA 7s Championship, hosted by Guilford College, on Saturday. The Nor'easters earned victories over Emory & Henry (Va.), Guilford (N.C.) and Warren Wilson (N.C.).
 
Elizabeth Goodrich totaled eight tries on the day to pace UNE with 40 points. Celeste Valerio tallied three tries, while Leah Underwood, Caroline Rhodes and Rae Pesek contributed one apiece. Underwood also knocked in five conversions, finishing with 15 points.
 
With the help of tries of Pesek and Valerio, Goodrich's pair of scores helped the Nor'easters notch a 20-17 win over Emory & Henry. Next, three Goodrich tries, along with one from Valerio, boosted UNE to a 24-12 victory over host Guilford.
 
In their final match of the day, the Nor'easters enjoyed their best offensive output with four different try scorers, led by Goodrich's three, in a 36-14 rout of Warren Wilson. Underwood recorded three of her five total conversions in that match.
 
Bowdoin, the eventual champion, blanked UNE on its way to the title.
 
UNE is lined up to visit New England College for more 7s action on Saturday, April 12.