Cambridge, Mass. – Harvard Women's Rugby has named its captains for the 2025 season: sophomore Eseta Pale and juniors Courtney Taylor and Ava Ference. The trio will serve as captains for both the 2026 spring 7s season and the fall 15s campaign.

Eseta Pale
Pale made an immediate impact in her first year, earning All-NIRA recognition while helping guide Harvard to the 2024 15s national championship. She led the team in defensive stops and carries last season, establishing her physcial presence. Now returning from injury, Pale continues to exemplify leadership, showing that influence off the pitch is just as vital as performance on it.

Ava Ference
Ference has been a reliable two-way contributor, ranking fourth on the team with nine turnovers while pacing the squad with 18 assists. She recorded three trys across three separate matches and played a key role in converting kicks for extra points. Defensively, Ference posted the second-highest tackle percentage on the roster at 93%, consistently setting the standard with her work rate and composure.

Courtney Taylor
Taylor established herself as a dominant force in the front row, finishing third on the team with 82 carries. She added three trys on the season, including pivotal scores in both the NIRA semifinal and championship match. Operating as both a tighthead and loosehead prop, Taylor was central to the team's 99% scrum success, anchoring the pack in high-pressure moments.

Together, Pale, Ference, and Taylor bring a blend of experience, physicality, and leadership that positions Harvard Women's Rugby for continued success. Their collective presence on and off the field will be instrumental as The Crimson prepare for its upcoming 7s and 15s seasons.