HOUSTON, TX — December 6, 2025 — National Collegiate Rugby today announced the finalists for the 2025 Women’s Player of the Year Awards, revealed live during the opening day of the Women’s National Championships. The announcement marks a major milestone in NCR’s newly established national awards program, launched this fall to elevate and recognize the top collegiate rugby athletes across all divisions.
The finalists represent the most exceptional performers from the Fall 25 season, standing out for their skill, leadership, and impact within their programs and divisions. One finalist from each division will ultimately be named the 2025 Women’s Player of the Year.
“These awards highlight the extraordinary talent driving the growth of women’s collegiate rugby,” said NCR Women’s Director, Alycia Washington. “These student-athletes delivered remarkable performances throughout the season, and we’re proud to honor their achievements at the national level. Each finalist embodies the competitiveness, character, and dedication that define our sport.”
A panel of rugby administrators, competition officials, and collegiate coaches will now vote to determine the Player of the Year in each division. Winners will be announced in January, with many receiving their awards at NCR’s All-Star events in Atlanta.
Lauren Anderson – Southern Nazarene | Hooker | Graduate
She doesn’t know what it’s like to not make the gainline, because she’s never done it. High motor, low center of gravity, and a key cog for the mercurial Crimson Storm.
Riley Erickson – Southern Nazarene | Center | Sophomore
Made a huge impact as a freshman, but was injured this time last year. Has enjoyed a big comeback season with powerful tackling, carrying and a penchant for poaching.
Natalie Lamar – St. Bonaventure | Fullback | Junior
Strong finisher and perennial All-Star. One of the main drivers of the Bonnies’ rise as a program. Great pace, skills and field vision.
Cara McManus – Penn State | Number 8 | Junior
Physical, athletic specimen. A talented player in a long line of proud Nittany Lion back rowers.
Telesi Uhatafe – Southern Nazarene | Center | Junior
Electric talent. As close to untackleable as they come, Telesi is a unique mixture of pace and power. She can run around you or over you, and she’s a violent tackler, whose skills are coming into form.
Lucia Hoffman – Colorado | Center | Sophomore
Hard-charging No. 8 has enjoyed a great season for the Buffs. Experienced, athletic and a positive influence on the club’s culture.
Isabel Henderson – Notre Dame | Number 8 | Junior
With length and speed, she’s an athletic mismatch in the forward pack. Too big for the backs to handle, and too fast for the forwards.
Morgan Linck – Northern Iowa | Fly-Half | Junior
As good as she is in attack, quarterbacking the UNI offense, her best attribute may be her tackling. As smart as she is tough, which is hard to do.
Molly McAlevey – Northeastern | Number 8 | Senior
All-around player and the heartbeat of the juggernaut Huskies. She can power her way over the line, create space for teammates and finish.
Taylor Wreath – Virginia | Prop | Senior
Taylor Wreath only goes one direction – forward. The untackleable prop is a force in the breakdown and set piece, as well as around the park.
Sophia Bailey – Vassar | Scrum-Half | Senior
The all-time leading scorer at Vassar, Bailey has used her otherworldly quickness to make opponents pay for falling asleep on defense her entire career.
Kate Boggs – Coast Guard | Number 8 | Senior
A leader on and off the pitch, Boggs has the defensive prowess and breakdown skills to excel as a forward on top of her ability to operate in open space and finish tries with the best of the backs in DII.
Elizabeth Crawford – Binghamton | Fly-Half | Senior
Crawford is a swiss army knife who capably commands the rest of the troops from the ten spot but can also tuck it and run for the score when called upon.
Olivia George – Eau Claire | Hooker | Junior
The hooker for the Blugolds possesses a deadly combination of size and speed that she deploys for maximum impact due to her high rugby IQ.
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Jude Robinson – Vassar | Fullback | Senior
The phenomenal fullback has lived in the try zone this season, scoring 100 points for Vassar on the year.
Tara Bogansky – East Stroudsburg | Center | Sophomore
The catalyst for East Stroudsburg record-setting offense, Bogansky is speedy, shifty, and a super set-up artist. And she’s only a sophomore.
Piper Lee – Colorado School of Mines | Fullback | Sophomore
When the lights shine bright, Lee shines even brighter using her supreme athleticism to impact the game in all aspects.
Colleen Mitchell – Endicott | Wing | Sophomore
The wing has been the wind beneath the Gulls’ wings on attack this year, seemingly scoring whenever she gets her hand on a ball in open space.
Julia Nilsen – East Stroudsburg | Prop | Senior
The emotional leader for the Warriors, Nilsen shows no fear and takes no prisoners out on the pitch. The loosehead does a lot of the dirty work for Stroudsburg and has also racked up plenty of scores on the season.
McKenzie Williams – Colorado School of Mines | Flanker | Junior
An absolute force of nature, Williams uses her high motor and supreme athleticism to bring the pain whenever she puts on the jersey for Mines.
