Seventeen elite collegiate rugby players have been officially nominated for the MA Sorensen Award. This honor is presented annually to the top woman playing college rugby in the United States.
The list was curated by a panel of coaches and experts, including Jackie Finlan of The Rugby Breakdown, with oversight from Alex Goff. Public fan votes also helped shape the selection. Next, the group will be narrowed down to four or five finalists. The winner will be chosen by a selection panel and honored this June at a gala held at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle.
About the Award
The award is named after MaryAnn Sorensen, a legendary prop for the 1991 World Cup winning USA team. Since its inception in 2016, every winner has had a signed jersey placed on permanent display at the WAC.
The Nominees (Alphabetical Order)
- Cassidy Ball (Army West Point): A powerful flanker with a high work rate, Ball has been a major factor in the Black Knights’ success this season.
- Sydney Davis (Stanford): Whether at flanker or No. 8, Davis is a resilient leader who famously led her team to a championship in 2024 despite an injury.
- Lucia Del Campo (Lindenwood): As a hooker, Del Campo handles the tough interior work that propelled the Lions to the NIRA championship game.
- AJ Haughey (Life University): A physical and intelligent No. 8, Haughey provides the leadership that keeps Life University at the top of the standings.
- Alexa Kirschner (Quinnipiac): A sharp scrum-half who acts as a sparkplug for the Bobcats, Kirschner is known for her opportunistic style of play.
- Yesenia Morales (Army West Point): Morales is a consistent threat at center, providing both defensive stability and attacking pressure for Army.
- Gemma Ogoka (Harvard): This young No. 8 emerged as a breakout star for the Crimson by scoring critical tries in high-pressure moments.
- Lei Opeti (Life University): An athletic flanker capable of shifting momentum instantly, Opeti proved her elite status during the CRAA Fall Classic.
- Mariah Overby (Cal): A high-scoring threat for the Bears, Overby excels at kicking goals and defensive stops alike.
- Tiahna Padilla (Harvard): A three-time finalist and Harvard captain, Padilla is a world-class playmaker at center who creates scoring chances for everyone around her.
- Angelique Schrock (Grand Canyon): A young prop who has become the foundation of the GCU pack through her dominance in the set piece.
- Freda Tafuna (Lindenwood): A two-time Sorensen winner and capped Eagle, Tafuna remains one of the most dominant loose forwards in the country.
- Emma Tai (Wheeling): Known for her elusiveness, Tai was a constant scoring threat throughout the NCR D1 season.
- Telesi Uhatafe (Southern Nazarene): An explosive center who provided the offensive fire for SNU during their run to the NCR D1 title.
- Bella Vogel (Life University): A highly skilled fullback with a strategic kicking game, Vogel is a USA age-grade standout with a bright future.
- Katelyn Walker (Dartmouth): The former CRAA Premier 7s MVP brought her signature intensity and leadership to the Big Green’s NIRA playoff run.
- Reece Woods (Sacred Heart): A powerhouse prop currently in the USA pathway, Woods is a key reason Sacred Heart remains a top-tier NIRA contender.
