Updated: Belmont Continues Run of Girls Rugby Dominance with Seventh Title

Belmont High School Girls Rugby capped off an undefeated season and won their seventh straight MIAA Division 1 state title in another dominant performance, defeating Lincoln-Sudbury, 69-21, at Curry College in Milton on Saturday afternoon.

With another spell of weekend New England rain clearing minutes before kickoff, the top-seeded Marauders (8-0) wasted little time penetrating the L-S defense. Belmont totaled 11 tries, six in the first half, with kicking specialists Rebecca Michaud and Farrah Harris adding six two-point conversions on the day.

“I’m so proud of them,” said Belmont head coach Kate McCabe. “They were playing off of each other so nicely. It’s a clear testament to 13 weeks together.”

On the opening possession, Belmont senior prop Anika Gupta nearly grounded the ball for a try, but L-S held her up to prevent the score.

The No. 2 seed Warriors (7-1)–looking to avenge both their 47-0 April defeat and their 2019 one-point championship loss to Belmont – traded control with the Marauders for the first eight minutes but were unable to generate any scoring of their own.

“Our defense is something we continued to get feedback on,” McCabe said. “Individuals made some key plays. Hannah Jacoby had amazing tackles. Becca Christensen had amazing tackles. Sarah Boss is always cleaning up on defense.”

Then came the Belmont onslaught.

In the span of just over 12 minutes, the Marauders scored tries on five straight possessions to lead, 33-0. They never looked back.

Props Gupta and senior Tabitha Kambazza, sophomore lock Rebecca Christensen, and senior flanker Lucy Hynds established Belmont’s physical, aggressive presence. Every inside run for Belmont was gritty and tough, with the Marauders gaining anywhere from 2 to 10 yards after first contact.

On the outside, senior wing Anoush McCarthy and senior fullback Mira Gardner broke off long runs, setting up the Marauders on the L-S half of the field for most of the game.

“It was a really good last game. Hard but well-earned,” said McCarthy.

In the 33-0 scoring run, four different Belmont players planted tries: Christensen, Kambazza, McCarthy, and senior lock Laila Lusis, who recorded a brace.

The Warriors showed fight, though. In the final 15 minutes of the opening half, L-S held Belmont to just one additional try off a long run by Gardner and the Warriors reached the try zone in the waning seconds to make the score 38-7. The points were the first surrendered by the Marauders in a state title game since 2022.

McCabe was complimentary of her opponent and of the state of the sport in Massachusetts going forward: “Lincoln-Sudbury played great. Girls’ rugby in the state is getting really competitive.”

The Marauders maintained their large lead for the whole 35-minute second half. As McCarthy streaked toward the corner of the try zone, she took a big hit and needed medical attention. After a quick visit from the trainer, she jogged back to the huddle to the cheers of fans on hand.

“I was just ready to push harder,” McCarthy said. “I was upset I couldn’t get that try, but we got the penalty try anyway.”

Indeed, Belmont was awarded a full seven points via penalty try on the play. McCarthy would finish with a hat trick, scoring two of the Marauders’ final four tries.

When the clock struck zero, both Belmont and L-S mobbed the field, cheering. The Warriors, happy with their performance and season, congratulated the state champs in a show of sportsmanship.

“I love watching players fall in love with this game,” said McCabe. “So many players walk off the field and say, ‘This sport makes me feel powerful in a way I’ve never felt before.’ That truly is the best part.”