“Our seniors are super special this year,” Learned said. “They’re the very first ones that went varsity and have been varsity throughout [their tenure at] the program. So they started out the program and they put it on the right course and we’re really proud of them. And this is the last tournament that they got to play at home, which is a really special thing…. Each and every one of them is just a really wonderful person and I’m going to miss them terribly.”

HARVARD 29, AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 0

Although this game was the third straight shutout of the weekend, it was probably the most impressive. Facing the Yellow Jackets, who made the National Semifinals last fall in 15s, the Crimson stifled the western Mass. team defensively while racking up the tries with its speedy players.

This 20-game tournament opened the season for Harvard, allowing them to face a smattering of different skill levels as it prepares for more intense tournaments later in the season. An added bonus was that inherent within a tournament set-up was the opportunity to play tougher competition as the day progresses and the players get their legs planted. The Crimson’s exemplary play came after playing two more developmental games.

“15s to 7s is always a weird transition,” Learned said. “With 7s it’s hard because there’s a lot more pressure on the individual just because there are seven people covering such a large amount of space, but I think that everybody on the team has stepped up and is doing a great job.”

HARVARD 35, SACRED HEART 0

Serving effectively as Senior Night for the Crimson’s seniors, most of the attention was focused on the people who transformed Radcliffe Rugby into a varsity sport. While there are still distinct elements of its club past (Harvard sings songs at the end of games to the opposing team), its varsity status was apparent as well.

With the addition of recruitment into the games, the element of youth is strong. Underclassmen scored all seven tries in this game, putting the team in a comfortable position early in the match.

Melding these cultures of excellence and tradition is an ongoing process, as is binding as a team.

“Every weekend for the next four weekends we’re going to be traveling, playing in tournaments, playing a lot of the same teams which will be good so we can gauge our improvement,” Learned said. “It’s going to be a test for sure, but I think that we are going to do really, really well this season.”

HARVARD 36, NEW HAMPSHIRE 0

This morning game was less about the overpowering performance from the Crimson and more about the significance that surrounded its playing.

This was the first formal 7s rugby game played on Roberto A. Mignone Field since it was inaugurated last fall. The new field was built as the women’s rugby program was formalized. For some, the playing ground is the physical manifestation of the labors inputted into the long transition process.

“This is our field and we’re so honored to have it,” Collins said. “Knowing the amount of work that I’ve put in over four years, then seeing both my friends and family members recognize that, and then also seeing how much our team has improved just means a lot. It means that the work we are putting in is paying off.”

—Staff writer William Quan can be reached at william.quan@thecrimson.com.