BIDDEFORD — The University of New England’s Women’s Rugby Team kicks off its first varsity season this year – and the team faces a formidable foe for its first home game. The Nor’easters will host the Harvard Crimson at noon Saturday at Barbara J. Hazard Field.

“No one ever imagined in 2014 when President Ripich announced the addition of varsity women’s rugby that UNE would be playing its first home game versus the most famous institution in the world,” said UNE Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack McDonald.

“We are thrilled that the coaches and staff at Harvard have agreed to come celebrate our first varsity season, and I am sure that our head coach, Ashley Potvin, will have the team well-prepared for this historic event,” McDonald said.

The Nor’easters, who have competed as a club team since 2012, will be a member of the National Collegiate Women’s Varsity Rugby Association, the governing body of collegiate varsity women’s rugby.

In 2015, the Nor’easters captured the New England Football Rugby Union championship and participated in the National Small College Rugby Organization National Championship, winning the third-place game in the Northeast Region bracket and finishing the season ranked 16th in the nation.