After falling in each of its three matches of pool play, the Black contingent, which was largely comprised of athletes who had joined the sport in the last few months, picked up a hard-fought win in the seventh-place matchup against BU’s second team.

In that match, Harvard started hot when senior Ashley Ifeadike broke away from the Terrier defense, sprinting down the left sideline for a try that drew first blood and put the Crimson on top, 5-0.

Despite a later score from BU, this lead held. Sophomore Mariah Turner broke a tackle for a score early in the second half, and then, in the final moments of play, freshman Tessa Mussa blazed down the length of the field to seal the 22-5 win and the seventh-place finish.

But the day’s ending bore little resemblance to the day’s beginning, when the Black team opened play with a 40-7 loss to Norwich (1). This defeat was followed by 24-14 and 22-0 defeats at the hands of BU (1) and St. Michael’s, respectively.

Consequently, Harvard ended pool play as a fourth seed, which set it up for a bout with BU (2).

“When we consider this was their first sevens tournament, I have nothing but praise for their efforts and their improvement,” Harvard coach Sue Parker said.