Harvard University women’s rugby team will open its 2026 spring sevens season at the Tropical 7s tournament in Tampa, Florida, taking place from April 3 to April 4.
The event marks the start of Harvard’s competitive calendar for the spring and features both elite and open division squads representing the university. The tournament is seen as an important early test for players and a chance to build momentum heading into subsequent competitions.
Harvard’s top entry will compete in the U23 Women’s Elite division within Pool A. On Friday, they are scheduled to play against Army West Point, Penn State, and Trinity Western. The knockout rounds begin Saturday with quarterfinal matches. The U23 Women’s Open division team will also play three pool games on Friday against SARC Sharks, Kennesaw State, and Canadian Misfits before starting playoffs on Saturday afternoon.
The elite squad includes athletes such as Victoria Stanley, Tiahna Padilla, Gemma Ogoke, Josephine Mignone, Sana’a Lunon, Cameron Fields, Lennox London, Madelyn Hubbell, Sophie Hayes, Dana Greer, Maya Hilger, Skylar Jordan, and Lily Miller. The open side features Neasa McLaughlin among others.
Senior Tiahna Padilla and first-year Gemma Ogoke have been nominated for the MA Sorensen Award this year. Padilla has received four nominations for this award over her career along with First Team All-NIRA honors each year; Ogoke earned First Team All-NIRA during her rookie campaign while leading Harvard with nine tries last fall.
Six members of Harvard’s program participated in the USA Women’s Eagles domestic camp in February—three alumnae (Cassidy Bargell ’22; PK Vincze ’25; Malia Isaacs ’25) alongside current student-athletes Tiahna Padilla ’26; Courtney Taylor ’27; Gemma Ogoke ’29.
Ten Crimson players were named to All-NIRA Teams for the previous season: four on first team (Padilla; Ogoke; Lennox London; Ava Ference) and six on second team (Charlotte Gilmour; Madelyn Hubbell; Sana’a Lunon; Josephine Mignone; Courtney Taylor; Cameron Fields). Captains announced for this year’s campaigns include juniors Ava Ference and Courtney Taylor plus sophomore Eseta Pale.
Last fall saw Harvard win its third straight NIRA 15s national championship with a perfect record—making it four total titles since 2019—and several statistical leaders emerged including Ava Ference (18 assists), Skylar Jordan (13 conversions), Lennonx London (five tries), Sana’a Lunon (eight tries), and Gemma Ogoke (nine tries).
Looking ahead after Tropical 7s action concludes in Tampa Bay this weekend—the Crimson are set to host Ivy 7s at home on April 11.
