Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Sometimes an 0-2 record tells the story. Other times, it barely begins to tell it. Two games into the 2026 season, the Aquinas women's rugby team has already been tested by quality opponents, early injuries and plenty of adversity, but none of it has dampened the enthusiasm surrounding a group that continues to show growth each time it takes the pitch. That progress was especially evident over the opening two weekends, as AQ responded from a difficult first half at Davenport with a 22-point second half before carrying that momentum into a five-point battle at Notre Dame.

Davenport 51, Aquinas 22    09/05/2026

Aquinas opened the 2026 season Sept. 5 against a talented and experienced Davenport side that jumped out to a 41-0 halftime advantage. The Panthers' early pressure forced the Saints to adjust quickly to a team playing with strong rugby IQ and an ability to read space and react defensively.

The second half, however, looked much different for the Maroon and White.

Freshman Skye Wegener put Aquinas on the board with her first collegiate try as a Saint, beginning a much more confident stretch of rugby for AQ. Jayana Williams followed with another try before freshman Easton Wright added the first try of her Aquinas career. Wegener converted Wright's score to add two more points.

Taryn MacMillan later crossed the try line for AQ's fourth score of the second half, as the Saints finished the final 40 minutes with 22 points. While the final margin favored Davenport, the second-half response showed a much different version of Aquinas, particularly with its defensive line speed and willingness to continue attacking after a difficult opening half.

Wright and Wegener were among the Saints who stood out on both sides of the ball, while Pippa Donoghue consistently gained meters and created opportunities by breaking through the defensive line. The Saints also had to work through injuries, with Wegener leaving the contest with a spine injury and Naveah Hearvey exiting with an elbow injury.

The opener provided an early measuring stick for Aquinas, but perhaps more importantly, the second half gave the Saints something positive to carry into their next opportunity.

Notre Dame 30, Aquinas 25    09/12/2026

One week later in South Bend, that progress was much easier to see.

Aquinas came out aggressively on defense, limiting Notre Dame's early attack while controlling key areas of the set piece. The AQ scrum was especially effective, with the Saints winning 12 offensive scrums and 10 defensive scrums, creating repeated possession and turnover opportunities. Aquinas also won four of five offensive lineouts and four defensive lineouts.

The Saints' work at the breakdown produced four successful jackals, with Izzy, Elle, Williams and Mallory Ulrich each helping create turnovers. Ulrich added an interception, while the Saints continued to generate go-forward ball through strong forward pod play.

Offensively, Aquinas received tries from Williams, Drew Dauser, Donoghue, Jasmine and MacMillan. No conversions were made, but five different Saints crossing the try line kept AQ within striking distance throughout the contest.

For Dauser, the score carried a little more meaning. Returning from an ACL injury, she made her season debut and marked her return to competition with her first try for Aquinas. Donoghue also scored her first collegiate try as a Saint, while Jasmine recorded her first AQ try.

Nadia Perez provided quality kicking and field placement, including one sequence in which her kick and Ulrich's chase flipped more than 60 meters of field position. Ulrich also produced several breakaway runs, while Wright again gave Aquinas strong support throughout the match.

The Saints held together well defensively early, but Notre Dame was able to capitalize on second-half breakdown issues and penalties around the ruck. Aquinas also lost Alysson at scrum-half during the second half, forcing additional adjustments as the contest tightened.

Even with those challenges, AQ remained within one score and pushed the Irish to the finish before Notre Dame held on for the 30-25 victory.

Following the loss, Aquinas moves to 0-2 overall, but the opening two weeks have provided much more than two numbers in the loss column. From a 22-point second half at Davenport to being separated from Notre Dame by just five points, Harris and the Saints continue to see signs of a team beginning to find its rhythm, communication and identity as conference play arrives.

Saints Snapshots

• Closing the Gap: After opening against a talented Davenport side, AQ responded one week later by taking Notre Dame to the finish in a 30-25 battle.
• Freshmen Find the Try Line: Wegener and Wright each recorded their first Aquinas tries against Davenport.
• Firsts at Notre Dame: Donoghue, Dauser and Jasmine each scored their first AQ tries in South Bend, with Dauser doing so in her return from an ACL injury.
• Scrum Strength: Aquinas won 12 offensive scrums and 10 defensive scrums against Notre Dame, repeatedly creating possession and turnover opportunities.
• Breakdown Impact: Izzy, Elle, Williams and Ulrich each recorded successful jackals, while Ulrich added an interception.
• Second-Half Response: AQ scored all 22 of its points against Davenport after halftime before following that performance with five tries against Notre Dame.

Coach's Comments

Head coach Dani Harris saw both contests as important steps in the development of a group still finding its identity, with each match offering a different lesson for the Saints.

"This game was everything we needed, to see where we would be and where we need to go," Harris said following the Davenport contest. "I am so excited to build off of this game."

After the Notre Dame match, Harris pointed to the progress she continues to see in AQ's communication, defensive support and overall system.

"Truly proud of the team," Harris said. "We're getting our flow and system down. Our communication was up along with our defensive line support. It is exciting to see what we are building and to see where we go."

Up Next

The Aquinas women's rugby team returns to action Friday, Sept. 18, when the Saints travel to North Canton, Ohio, to face Walsh at 4:30 p.m. in their first conference match of the 2026 season. AQ will then meet Southern Nazarene University on Saturday, Sept. 26, in a neutral-site contest in Iowa.

Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for scores, stories, results and complete coverage of Aquinas women's rugby and all other Saints sports.

It's a great day to be a Saint.