NEWS

From Wednesday, March 26, to Sunday, March 30, four teams battled between the boards at Prestonwood Polo & Country Club in Oak Point, Texas, for the Division I Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship. Hosted by the DFW Polo Association, the nation’s top women’s talent gathered from across the country, combining a passion for polo with collegiate pride. For the third consecutive year, the final match pitted rivals Texas A&M University (Josie Dorsey, Francesca Felhaber, Olivia Reynolds, Sophia DeAngelis) against defending champion the University of Virginia (Mackenzie Craig, Kelsey Bray, Alana Benz, Caroline Blang, Eleanor Gaudion). Texas A&M University (TAMU) successfully avenged last year’s heartbreaking loss to the University of Virginia (UVA) with a determined performance, reclaiming the championship title 12-10.

In the first semifinal match-up, TAMU faced California Polytechnic State University (Nicole Bailey, Caroline Mathews, Julia Schaefer, Zoe Sylvester), where a standout second chukker from TAMU ultimately blazed the trail for an 18-7 victory. Concluding Thursday’s doubleheader, UVA earned its ticket to the final defeating Southern Methodist University (Savannah Coventry, Lulu Moore, Lindsey Morris, Carly Costello), 21-10.

Determined by the slimmest of margins in back-to-back finals, TAMU raised the trophy in 2023 following a nail-biting overtime shootout, with UVA enacting its revenge on a game ending penalty conversion in 2024. Representing a mix of veteran presence and fresh energy, TAMU’s Reynolds (senior) entered the rubber match in her last year of eligibility alongside Dorsey (junior) and Felhaber (sophomore). Leading the charge for the Cavaliers, Benz (senior) was eager to defend UVA’s title with Craig (junior) and Bray, making her debut on the team as a freshman.

Setting tone early for the team in blue and orange, two goals from Bray quickly lifted UVA to a 2-1 lead. Answering in the second chukker, Reynolds added her name to the scoreboard, as back-to-back goals from Dorsey pulled the Aggies ahead 4-2. Scoreless in the second period, Bray and Benz led UVA’s offense in the third but the duo of Dorsey and Reynolds continued to produce, with TAMU doubling up on its opponents 8-4 at the half.

UVA came out strong after the break, with Bray scoring twice in the fourth to bring the Cavaliers within two. Digging deep for the comeback in the fifth period, Benz struck first from the field, then at the penalty line to tie the match 8-all. Held scoreless since the end of the third chukker, Felhaber quickly turned the momentum back in TAMU’s favor. Clinging to a narrow two-goal lead in the sixth chukker, an electric two-pointer from Bray tied the match once more 10-all. Leading one last rally for the Aggies, Reynolds and Felhaber responded in the final moments of the contest to deliver TAMU the hard-fought triumph.

Sunday’s victory marked the sixth (1994, 1995, 2018, 2019, 2023) Division I Women’s Intercollegiate title for Texas A&M University. Reynolds and Dorsey each earned their second title, with Felhaber capturing her first. In the Division I Men’s final, TAMU (Zak Coleman, Aiden Meeker, Will Mudra) earned its twelfth (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2019) national title. The sweep of the competition marked a monumental moment for the Aggies, replicating their dual championship success from 2019 with victories in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Celebrating another successful collegiate season, the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) program continues to provide unparalleled development and competitive experience for youth players. Multiple athletes in this year’s competitions are interscholastic alumni, including the entire rosters of both TAMU winning teams. Additionally, the continued growth of the sport in numerous varsity programs have attracted multiple international players, with students hailing from Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Pakistan and Zambia.

All-Stars were awarded to Alana Benz (UVA), Kelsey Bray (UVA), Josie Dorsey (TAMU) and Francesca Felhaber (TAMU). The Connie Upchurch Memorial Sportsmanship Award was presented to Southern Methodist University’s Lulu Moore for her continued positive attitude, fairness and support for her peers in and out of the arena. UVA’s Kelsey Bray earned the David Wenning Memorial Horsemanship Award for her outstanding and consistent demonstration of riding ability and attention to equine care throughout the competition. Sweeping the equine awards, Best Playing String and Best Turned-Out String were presented to Ola Polo – UVA String, who also boasted the Best Playing Pony Ola Fernessa.

The Division I Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship final is now available On-Demand.

All photos courtesy of ©David Murrell.