COLUMBUS, Ind. - The No. 9 University of Saint Francis (Ind.) women's flag football team claimed the title at the 2026 NAIA East Flag Football Championship on Friday, April 24 to advance to the eight-team NAIA National Invitational. The Cougars defeated Campbellsville University 26-18 in the semifinals before earning a 32-7 victory over No. 7 Milligan University in the championship game.

In the title game, Saint Francis and Milligan battled in the opening period, entering the second period tied at 7-7. The Cougars took control in the second, scoring 19 unanswered points to take a 26-7 lead at halftime.

Saint Francis added another touchdown in the fourth quarter and held Milligan scoreless in the second half to secure the 32-7 victory.

The Cougars totaled 345 yards of offense while limiting Milligan to 160. Jianna Reyes completed 33-of-40 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 34 rushing yards and a score. Harmany Walker, Ava Cousins, Haylee Weatherspoon, and Madison Myers-Rebidas each recorded a receiving touchdown, combining for 17 receptions and 175 yards.

Defensively, Saint Francis totaled 16 flag pulls and forced two interceptions. Da'Kyla Hall led with five flag pulls and a sack. Weatherspoon and Cousins each recorded an interception, while Cousins added two pass breakups and Myers-Rebidas also had two pass breakups.

Up next, Saint Francis (14-4) will compete in the inaugural NAIA Women's Flag Football Invitational at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The national invitational is scheduled for May 6-9.

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Business and Leadership: Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Nursing; and Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.