The Last Varsity Match? Reflecting on the final 2025 Quinnipiac Rugby Match

When Quinnipiac announced on April 14 that its women’s rugby program would transition from varsity to club status, the news immediately sent shockwaves throughout the Quinnipiac athletics community and the broader rugby world. In the weeks that followed, emotions only intensified as current players, alumni, and incoming athletes publicly fought for the future of the program. More recently, former, current, and incoming players filed a class action lawsuit connected to the university’s decision and the broader Title IX implications surrounding the move.

There are countless angles to discuss regarding the situation. The reaction from alumni, former national champions, and even Olympian Ilona Maher showed in front of her millions of social media followers bringing this headline to major media outlets showed how deeply this program matters to people across the country.

But while those conversations are important, I did not want this story to solely focus on controversy or legal battles. Instead, I wanted to reflect on the actual program itself, the culture it built, and the opportunity I had to cover the team’s final game of 2025.

On October 25th, 2025, I traveled to Annapolis, Maryland to photograph Quinnipiac women’s rugby’s regular season finale against Queens University of Charlotte at the Prusmack Rugby Center on the US Naval Academy grounds through RCH Photography. The Bobcats entered the afternoon looking to close their 2025 campaign on a strong note, and from the opening moments, it was clear they intended to do exactly that.

Annapolis already carries a distinct energy because of the Naval Academy and the traditions surrounding the city, but adding college rugby into that environment created something even more memorable. After suffering a senior day home match loss to an across town rival the week prior- it brought an intensity on the sideline that made the match feel bigger than a normal regular season contest.

Once play began, Quinnipiac immediately established control physically. The Bobcats attacked with pace and confidence, consistently winning possession and pushing Queens backward throughout the afternoon. Lucy Lamborn opened the scoring early, setting the tone for what would become one of Quinnipiac’s most complete performances of the season.

As the first half continued, Quinnipiac’s depth became impossible to ignore. Alexa Kirschner added another score before Regan Jackson and Gabrielle Appiah both found the try zone. Every time Queens attempted to generate momentum, Quinnipiac responded immediately with another strong possession or defensive stand.

By halftime, the Bobcats had built a commanding lead, but the energy on the sideline never dropped. An energy that was bolstered by a well traveled Bobcats crowd in the stands. That was one of the biggest things I noticed while covering the match. Even with control of the game firmly in hand, the intensity and support between teammates remained incredibly high.

The second half only reinforced the identity Quinnipiac rugby had built over the years. Rebecca Balladares scored twice, while Layla Cox and Grace Gabaldon also added tries as the Bobcats continued to overwhelm Queens with physicality and pace. Quinnipiac finished the afternoon with seven different players scoring, showcasing the balance and versatility that made the team difficult to defend all season long.

That game carried personal meaning for me beyond the final score. One of my long-term photography goals has been to cover athletic events at all United States service academies. Being able to photograph a Quinnipiac event at Navy added another meaningful stop to that journey.

Looking back now, the game feels even more meaningful considering everything that has happened since.

Quinnipiac women’s rugby was never just another athletic program. Since its founding in 2011 under head coach Becky Carlson, the Bobcats became one of the defining programs in collegiate women’s rugby. Carlson helped build the program from the ground up into a national powerhouse that won three consecutive national championships from 2015 through 2017 while helping elevate women’s rugby nationally.

As a photographer, some games stay with you longer than others. Sometimes it is because of the atmosphere. Sometimes it is because of the stakes. Other times, it is because you later realize you were documenting something historically important without fully knowing it in the moment.

That afternoon in Annapolis became one of those moments for me.

Regardless of what ultimately happens moving forward, Quinnipiac women’s rugby has already left a permanent mark on college athletics. Three national championships, years of success, an Olympian, and countless athletes whose lives were shaped by the program represent a legacy that cannot simply disappear because of one administrative decision.

Looking back now, I am grateful I had the opportunity to cover the Bobcats during what ultimately became the final game of their 2025 season. The scoreboard from that day will eventually fade into history, but the culture, pride, and legacy surrounding this program are things that will continue to endure far beyond the final whistle.

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