Pioneers Honor Seniors in Hard-Fought Battle With Harvard

Saturday, September 5

Fairfield, Conn.

11 AM

Sacred Heart

Harvard University

Pioneers Honor Seniors in Hard-Fought Battle With Harvard

9/5/2026 2:28:00 PM | Women's Rugby

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sacred Heart University women’s rugby battled Harvard on Saturday afternoon, with the Pioneers falling just short in a 26-24 decision.

By: Julia Groff

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sacred Heart University women's rugby battled Harvard on Saturday afternoon, with the Pioneers falling just short in a 26-24 decision.

Harvard opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but SHU answered with a penalty try in the ninth minute to even the score at 7-7.

The Pioneers took their first lead of the afternoon in the 27th minute when Carrie Coyer-Westerberg crossed the try line to make it 12-7. Harvard responded with a try just before halftime, taking a 14-12 lead into the break.

The Crimson extended their advantage early in the second half, scoring in the 52nd minute before adding another try in the 58th minute to build a 26-12 lead.
SHU continued to battle late, as Coyer-Westerberg recorded her second try of the afternoon in the 78th minute, with Reese Torticill adding the conversion to cut the deficit to 26-19.
Just over two minutes later, Maria-Jean Paulino found the try line to bring the Pioneers within two, but Harvard held on for the 26-24 victory.
Coyer-Westerberg led the Pioneers with two tries, while Paulino added one.

Prior to kickoff, Sacred Heart honored its 10 seniors as part of Senior Day. The Pioneers recognized #19 Julia Arnone, #33 Carrie Coyer-Westerberg, #5 Charlotte Dauser, #9 Marley Gurmendi, #10 Viola Koning, #15 Josie O'Donnell, #13 Reese Torticill, #27 Reagan Vander-Heide, #4 Olivia Woods and #25 Reece Woods for their contributions to the program.

Sacred Heart travels to Army West Point on Sept. 19 for a 1 p.m. matchup.

SCORING SUMMARY – First Half
4:10 – Harvard Try by Gemma Ogoke, Conversion by Evie Eyers (0-7, HARV)
9:00 – Penalty Try (7-7)
26:30 – Sacred Heart Try by Carrie Coyer-Westerberg (12-7, SHU)
42:50 – Harvard Try by Maddie Hubbell, Conversion by Evie Eyers (12-14, HARV)

SCORING SUMMARY – Second Half
51:03 – Harvard Try by Maya Hilger (12-19, HARV)
57:10 – Harvard Try by Sana'a Lunon, Conversion by Jojo Mignone (12-26, HARV)
77:25 – Sacred Heart Try by Carrie Coyer-Westerberg, Conversion by Reese Torticill (19-26, HARV)
79:30 – Sacred Heart Try by Maria-Jean Paulino (24-26, HARV)