Nicole McCardle Earns All-NEC7C Team Honors

Nicole McCardle runs past a defender.

BEVERLY, Mass. - Endicott club women's rugby student-athlete Nicole McCardle (Castleton, Vt.) has been named to the All-New England Collegiate 7's Circuit (NEC7C) Team, as announced by Conference Commissioner Chip Auscavitch earlier this week.

"Nicole was a standout player in the NEC7C this year," said Ausavitch. "While her speed and quickness are obvious attributes, there are so many other qualities that set her apart. She has a great offensive vision that allows her to anticipate gaps forming and uses her speed to burst through them. She routinely takes on a defender to create space for a teammate, and then makes a picture-perfect pass to put them away for a long run or a score. While Nicole isn't a physical presence in her stature, she plays much bigger than her size and is a fearless, determined defender when tackling. Her tackles often look effortless, and her form is flawless more often than not."

McCardle has played a pivotal role in helping to guide the women's rugby team to a 14-8-1 record this spring. 

"Nicole has found her voice and really grown into her leadership role this season," said Endicott women's rugby head coach Emily Record. "As a playmaker for the team, Nicole is selfless on the field always setting up other players for tries, and is a rock on defense with many try-saving tackles. She is a presence on the field and is always leading from the front, in all aspects of the game and practices." 

WHAT'S NEXT

The Gulls will be flying down to Cheswick, Pennsylvania to compete in the NSCRO 7's National Rugby Tournament on Saturday, April 28.

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(Photo Credit - Mike Conners)