The Colorado School of Mines Orediggers women’s club rugby team has made history, capturing the program’s first-ever national title.
The Orediggers beat defending champion Endicott College 38-29 in the final of the National Collegiate Rugby Division III Championship in Houston on Dec. 7 to claim the 2025 title.
Sophomore Piper Lee was named the Championship MVP for her four conversions and one try in the final, which featured back-and-forth momentum swings before Lee delivered the decisive try and conversion with just minutes left.
“This team has put their blood, sweat and tears on the line, and seeing all that work finally pay off is incredibly rewarding,” said Lee, also a finalist for the Division III 2025 Women’s Player of the Year Award. “In past years, we’ve gotten so close to the top, always right there but never quite finishing it. Finally breaking through shows the true perseverance and grit this team has. It wasn’t luck – it was years of growth, commitment and belief.”
The Orediggers made the national finals for the first time in program history in 2024, falling to Endicott in that match before reversing the outcome this year to lift the trophy for Mines.
“This has been our goal since the beginning of the season,” team captain Aliya Lynn said. “As the clock was counting to zero, I just felt such pure joy for our coach, my teammates, alumni and everybody who has supported our program. It was a moment to be grateful for the entire season, and honestly unexplainable.”
“This has been a historic season, and speaking for our seniors, it was the best last ride that we could've asked for,” Lynn said. “This is one of the best programs to have been involved in at Mines and has made my experience so much better.”
About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.
