As Cassidy Bargell stood in the tunnel leading to the rugby pitch at the epicenter of the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, the 2018 Summit High School graduate’s thoughts were drowned out by the crowd’s electric hum.

Though Bargell is no stranger to playing in front of passionate crowds, the thunder of over 40,000 fans at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup was something else entirely.

After taking a moment to soak in the prematch energy, Bargell charged onto the field as fire powerfully shot up into the air to mark the entrance of the U.S. Women’s 15’s rugby team. The drum of the crowd just got louder as Bargell and her teammates prepared to take on the hosts of the World Cup — England.

“It was kind of indescribable,” Bargell said. “To play in the opener against the host country, the country that hasn’t lost since the last World-Cup final, we knew it was an opportunity. I just remember walking out from the tunnel and there were the fire cannons going, and it was so loud.”

Like any major international competition, the U.S. Women’s Rugby team — nicknamed the Women’s Eagles — began preparing for the World Cup months before its opening match against England. In fact, Bargell says the process of selecting athletes for the World Cup really began when the team’s head coach — Sione Fukofuka — was given the reins of the program in Nov. 2023.

“It is a long selection process,” Bargell said. “We have been building towards it the whole time we have had Sione as our head coach. The World Cup is always in the back of everyone’s minds, but the ultimate selection came down to a camp in Maryland in July.”

At the camp, Bargell and close to 40 other rugby athletes trained, scrimmaged each other and vied to be one of the athletes named to the national team competing at this year’s World Cup. 

After years of dedicating herself to the sport she fell in love with at Summit High School, Bargell was filled with excitement when she found out she would be one of the athletes traveling to England for the 15’s World Cup. 

Like any successful athlete, Bargell did not let herself lose sight of her major goals in the sport. While being named to the 32-athlete U.S. World-Cup roster was a major accomplishment, Bargell quickly recentered herself and focused on making sure she got the opportunity to secure playing time during the tournament.

“All of us were there to get selected, but then we were also there to compete to make a roster spot, compete to play well and compete to win games in the World Cup,” Bargell said. “The selection to the team of 32 for the World Cup was just the start because that is kind of where the extra hard work begins.”

Knowing that only 23 girls are actually rostered for the series of matches, Bargell dug deep to continue to impress the U.S. Women’s Eagles coaching staff. 

Bargell eventually was informed that she had made the team’s roster, allowing the Summit County product to get the chance to take the field against England in the opening match in Pool A on Aug. 22.

The U.S. tried to muster a win over England, but the formidable team proved to be too much for the team to handle. The U.S. scored one try in the first half, losing to England, 69-7.

The U.S. then went on to face Australia on Aug. 30 at York Community Stadium in York, England. After trailing 14-5 at halftime, the Women’s Eagles made a huge push in the second half. Needing a win to advance out of pool play, the U.S. scrounged for every point it could get but ended up tying with Australia, 31-31.

“We went into it with this mindset that it was us or them going through,” Bargell said. “We have to win. We can’t lose. To come away with the draw kind of gave us a limbo feeling. We didn’t lose, but we also didn’t accomplish what we needed to do.”

The Women’s Eagles closed out pool play and its experience at the World Cup by facing Samoa on Sept. 6. Feeling like there was something to prove, the U.S. produced a total of 10 tries with Bargell scoring her first of the trip during the 27th minute of the game.

The U.S. handily defeated Samoa, 60-0

With a record of 1-1-1, the U.S. was not able advance out of pool play. England and Australia both moved out of Pool A, with the tournament hosts winning the World Cup final over Canada on Sept. 27.

Even without a long tournament run, Bargell cherished the chance to be part of something she had never experienced before. From signing autographs outside of the stadium, to enjoying moments with her close friends, the 2025 Rugby World Cup was a true adventure.

“People ask me if it was everything I ever dreamed of, and I always say that I never really dreamed of this,” Bargell said. “I have never seen a women’s rugby game look like this. It was just insane. Especially the fire, you felt like you were on the main stage walking out for the anthems.”

One of Bargell’s favorite memories from the seven and a half weeks she spent with the team was the opportunity to spice up the team’s attire. After the team received a hefty donation, Bargell and her teammates made a trip to Boot Barn to try on and buy cowboy boots for the entire roster.

“They wanted more Americana in our uniforms, so we all went to a Boot Barn,” Bargell said. “There was an insane budget that none of us were going to go over for our single pair of boots we were getting. It was so fun walking around shopping and seeing everyone find their style. It brought us all together.”

By playing in the World Cup, Bargell got the opportunity to make a variety of groups proud. Beyond the Summit County and Summit girls rugby community, Bargell also represented Harvard and those living with an ostomy.

“That is the best part and the best feeling,” Bargell said. “You are only a reflection of the community that you have had behind you and the support you have had from your people. Me being selected for the World Cup was truly a reflection of all that support. … The entire national team knows that I am a Summit County girl through and through. I love my Summit girls rugby, and I am proud to represent them.”

Bargell will now take some time to recover from the busy summer before beginning prep for the buildup for the 2029 World Cup in Australia.