BOYDS, Md.- The Long Island University women's rugby team was crowned 2026 Premier Women Plate Champions at the Collegiate Rugby Championship: National 7s this past weekend.

Senior Sayler Russell was named to the All-Tournament team. Russell was the second highest point scorer in the Women's Premier Cup, with 31 points scored. She scored five tries and three successful conversions, including a hat trick against the University of New Haven.

The weekend started for the Sharks on Saturday, April 25th, against Marist University. The Sharks won that match 38-5, advancing them to a matchup against Southern Nazarene University later that day. Sayler Russell scored two tries and had a successful conversion. Junior Kori Fields scored a try and had two successful conversions. Junior Ella Minici had a try and a successful conversion. Junior's Billie Bonjean and Deja Peary also each scored a try.

The Sharks faced a tough challenge against Southern Nazarene University, ultimately dropping the contest 24–0.

With their championship aspirations crushed by Southern Nazarene University, the Sharks attempted to leave the tournament with some hardware. Their next matchup was on Sunday, April 26th, against the University of New Haven. The Sharks did not let the loss to Southern Nazarene University stop their strong play. They defeated the University of New Haven by a score of 38-22. The Sharks were led by Sayler Russell, who scored a hat trick, along with two successful conversions. Kori Fields scored a try and two successful conversions. In addition, sophomore Eve Ursell and Billie Bonjean each scored a try.

After defeating the University of New Haven, the Sharks turned their attention to Queens University of Charlotte, trying to become 2026 Premier Women Plate Champions The Sharks dug themselves into a hole to start the match, going down 12-0. That early deficit did not affect the Sharks. They ended up erasing the early 12-0 deficit, and taking down Queens University of Charlotte by a score of 21-17, earning them a fifth place finish in the tournament. Head Coach Alex Artus praised his team's performance, saying, "After going down 12–0 in the finals, I'm really proud of how the team kept our composure, fought back, and secured the win." Kori Fields scored a try and had two successful conversions. Deja Peary and Billie Bonjean each scored a try, while Ella Minici had a successful conversion.

In the final weekend of their season, the Sharks come away with some hardware, receiving a plaque for being crowned 2026 Premier Women Plate Champions at the Collegiate Rugby Championship: National 7s. Artus reflected on the weekend, saying, "It was a great weekend of rugby, and the team really stepped up. We spread out the scoring across the team, and we put up a physical defensive effort."