NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Following a historic return to national competition and a season of steady excellence, Norwich University women's rugby standouts Elinah Liaina (Killeen, Texas) and Octavia Crawford (Shelburne Falls, Mass.) have been named to the 2025 Rugby Northeast Division II All-Conference Team, as announced by the league office this week.

The duo helped lead the Cadets through a strong 7s campaign that saw the program finish 9-6-1, highlighted by a tournament championship at the Providence College 7s, a gritty showing at the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) Qualifier at Stonehill College, and a return to the national stage at the 2025 CRC Women's Premier Cup in Boyds, Md.

Head Coach Baylee Annis '14 praised both players for their impact on and off the pitch.

"This 7s season we saw many talented athletes shine, and it's great to see two of those incredible student-athletes highlighted with All-Conference selections from Rugby Northeast," Annis said.  "Liaina has achieved so much during her career and incredibly only started rugby competition one year ago.  In that time, she has been a starting 15s and 7s team member at prop center, received the Norwich Rugby 2024 MVP Award, and has been known for being impossible to take down and having a heart of gold."

Liaina, a senior nursing major, finished the 7s season with 20 points, including five points at the Bentley 7s and a 15-point at the Providence 7s Tournament.  Serving as a 7s forward, she averaged 90 meters gained per match and posted a flawless 100% tackle success rate, statistics that underscore her remarkable rise since picking up the sport just one year ago.

"Crawford is a 3-year member of the squad and was selected to be assistant captain this spring by coaches and teammates," Annis explained.  "She has been a steadfast conversion and drop kicker and dynamic backline attacker, and was the 2024 recipient of the Chris Munn Memorial Scholarship by the Norwich Scrum Alums this fall.  I continue to be impressed with the physical and academic talent of our players.  Liaina and Crawford are just two great examples of what our team brings to the conference and national rugby stage."

Crawford, a junior nursing major and the team's assistant captain, also tallied 20 points on the season.  She averaged 10 carries per match, excelling as a 7s back and specialist kicker.  Her scoring contributions were spread across major tournaments, including eight points at Bentley, 10 points at the CRC Qualifier, and two points on a conversion at the CRC Women's Premier Cup.

The Cadets closed the season with a dramatic 22-15 victory over Adrian College on the final day of the CRC Women's Premier Cup, marking the program's first win at a national 7s tournament since 2015.

Norwich's successful return to the national spotlight was built on the leadership, grit, and character embodied by players like Liaina and Crawford, who now add All-Conference honors to their legacies.