CHULA VISTA, California –
After decisive wins over Coast Guard and the Marine Corps, the All-Air Force Women’s Rugby team battled Navy to the final minute Saturday night in the 2025 Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship.
Air Force won in dramatic fashion when Tech. Sgt. Chanel Kung scored on a try under the goal posts to secure the 17-14 triumph over Navy on the final game of day one.
“It was a scrappy game,” All-Air Force coach Patricia Adams said. “Navy is big and tough. But we played really well and played our game and didn’t let hotter heads prevail. We stayed cool.”
The All-Air Force Women’s Rugby sevens team lost its top player from 2024, but may boast a more talented roster in 2025.
Air Force (3-0) for the first time has U.S. national team member Kelsie O’Brien on the roster. Due to conflicting schedules, O’Brien had not been able to join the team until 2025.
Adams hopes O’Brien, a captain in the Air Force Reserve, and an influx of new talent compensates for the absence of last year’s All-tournament player, Capt. Adrienne Yoder, who could not join the team due to mission requirements.
Also joining the roster this year are Capt. Katie Mueller, has also competed at the international levels of rugby and Staff Sgt. Isabelle Burr, a member of an English Rugby league.
Air Force coasted through its first two games 19-5 over Coast Guard and 31-0 against the Marines, showcasing its strength and discipline in running and passing the ball.
Meanwhile longtime All-Air Force player, Master Sgt. Sahtara Wehe joins the squad for her final tournament run. Wehe came out of retirement to make one final push with the team. Adams said Wehe brings a needed veteran in the huddle to guide the newer players.
Strong connections with former Air Force Academy rugby players and steady interest from talented enlisted Airmen helped the service field a talented roster. Of the 25 players that attended training camp, 15 had never tried out for the team before, Adams said.
“We’ve got some really great new talent that really clicked with our veterans,” Adams said.
Army: The All-Army women’s Rugby team fell behind in both of its matches against the All Navy and All-Coast Guard squads at the 2025 All Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship Saturday.
But both times, the Soldiers did not panic.
Army erased a 15-7 deficit vs. Navy to win 27-15, then rallied from behind for another victory, 31-14 vs. Coast Guard.
“I wasn’t worried because a lot of the things that we were doing were uncharacteristic of our team and we were kind of beating ourselves on some of the points,” All-Army coach Kaitlyn Kelly said.
In Army’s opening game of the 2025 rugby sevens tournament vs. Navy, Army started strong when 1st Lt. Kaitlyn Schwarting ran into the try zone from the right side to grab the early 7-0 lead following the conversion.
However, Navy (1-2) bounced back with two consecutive scores by Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Sutton. Sutton stiff armed Army Maj. Anne Lee for a long run on the second try to put Navy up 15-7.
“Props to Navy,” Army coach Kaitlyn Kelly said. “Great team, probably the best team they’ve ever brought to the tournament. They’ve really increased their rugby skills. We knew that it was going to be a good game going in.”
However, Army (2-0) bounced back key with a run and score from Lee to bring Army within 15-14. Army Flyhalf Alexandra Dimarco broke a Navy tackle for another score to put Army up 20-15.
Army Wing Charisma Henry broke free from a scuffle to add another score, capping a 27-15 Army triumph.
“Going into halftime I just told the girls, ‘hey we’ve just got to play our game and our structure and stay composed,’” Kelly said. “And once we did that in the second half we saw the results.”
Scores by Lt. j.g. Ariyanna Jurkowski and Lt. Hollis Connick allowed Coast Guard (0-2) to grab a 14-7 first half lead.
“It was just a miscommunication on the defensive line and Coast Guard took advantage of that,” Kelly said. “It was a great run by them.”
However, Lee carried the ball from midfield to tie the game at 14-14.
Henry shed two Navy tackle attempts on a power run to the try zone for the go-head score. Then Army added two more scoring tries from 1st Lt. Naomi Colin for the 31-14 win.
“I’m really proud that they kept their head and trusted in each other and our game plan,” Kelly said.
Early errors led to the first half deficit. But Kelly trusted her players to refocus.
“They hold themselves to a high standard and they kind of have an ability to fix things on the pitch,” Kelly said.