Santa Clara Men's Rugby

Starting Time for Saturday’s Match Moved to 6pm

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:32:50 +0000

Santa Clara’s playoff match against San Diego State originally scheduled to kickoff at 2pm at Steuber Field on the campus of Stanford University has been changed to a 6pm start time. The game will still be held on the Stanford campus and all fans are encouraged to arrive early as parking may be difficult with this game being the last of the day’s planned tournament and other events taking place at Stanford that evening.

The team is looking forward to a great week of practice and having the opportunity to compete against several of the best teams in the country this weekend! Saturday is a rugby day! Go SCUTS!

Santa Clara Advances to Sweet 16 National Playoffs

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:01:42 +0000

Santa Clara has received an at large bid to participate in the D1 Sweet 16 National Playoffs following the team’s Northern California championship run. There are four regional sites throughout the country and the winner of each region will meet in the National Final Four. The team has been placed in the Western Region which will be held at Steuber Field on the campus of Stanford University during the weekend of April 28 & 29. Joining Santa Clara in the West will be San Diego State University, UC Santa Barbara, and Oregon State.

Santa Clara takes on SDSU at 2pm on April 28. The winner of the match will compete against the winner of the UCSB and Oregon State match the following afternoon, April 29, at 3pm.

The team is using the next two weeks to prepare for what will be a challenging region. San Diego State is currently ranked 2nd in the country and the SCUTS understand that it will take their best game of the season to secure a victory.

Santa Clara has made a tremendous turn around from a season ago under the leadership of first year coaches Paul Keeler and Jone Naquica. The team is currently ranked 12th in the country and is excited about the opportunity to compete with several of the best teams in the nation in what will be a great weekend for Santa Clara rugby.

Next Match:

April 28th @2pm - Santa Clara v. San Diego State - Steuber Field, Stanford University

April 29th @3pm - Winner of SCU & SDSU v. Winner of UCSB & OSU - Steuber Field, Stanford University

2012 Emirates Airline USA Rugby Men’s Division I-AA Bracket

Santa Clara Wins Regular Season Finale and the 2012 Nor Cal Conference Championship

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:05:28 +0000

Santa Clara defeated Sacramento State Saturday night by a final score of 23-20 to finish league play 5-1 and clinch a D1 Nor Cal league title. Behind a tremendous team effort, the SCUTS fought through adversity and adjusted well to different lineups when faced with injuries early in the match. Starting centers Nick Johnson and Alan Lee were both injured in the first 10 minutes of the match, and freshman Mark Kuppenbender and junior Alex Pascale came off the bench to make a tremendous impact for the team. Senior Craig Kisylia played one of his best matches and was a force in set pieces while stealing multiple line-outs on senior night. He, along with Ryan Falvey, Joe Murphy, Teddy Mefford, Alan Lee, Joe Fonfara and Daniel Iritani played their last matches on Bellomy and the senior class could not be more excited than to have helped lead the team to a conference championship.

Center Nick Johnson and wing Nick Jones scored early tries for the SCUTS, but Sac State responded with two of their own. Neither team was able to convert for points on the tries, and the halftime score stood at 10-10. Sac State took an early lead in the second half when they scored their third try of the match. The SCUTS fought back and two tremendous penalty kicks from wing Teddy Mefford allowed Santa Clara to take a 16-15 lead with 20 minutes remaining in the game. Several minutes later, the SCUTS put together tremendous phase play and Kuppenbender touched down a try with Mefford kicking for points to put the team up 23-15 with 12 minutes remaining. Sac State would score with 5 minutes remaining but was unable to convert and Santa Clara held a 23-20 lead on the ensuing kickoff. Sac State did well to maintain possession, but a last minute penalty allowed Santa Clara to kick to touch on the last play of the match and clinch a conference title.

The team now hopes for an at large bid to the National Sweet 16 playoffs to take place April 28-29. Santa Clara is likely to be invited to the Western Regional to be held at Stanford University over that weekend. The team will continue to train in anticipation of an invitation and the boys look forward to representing Santa Clara and Nor Cal well as they work towards a National Championship!

The team would like to thank the large contingent of alumni, family, and friends that came out to the match Saturday night. The team is proud of the impressive turnaround it has made in one year, and the support from so many fans has made this season that much better.

Go SCUTS! Updates with playoff seeding and information to follow this week.

Final Regular Season Game moved to 6:30pm

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 01:06:41 +0000

The match between #12 Santa Clara and #13 Sacramento State has been moved from its original start time of 5:00pm to 6:30pm this Saturday night on Bellomy Field in anticipation of the large crowd and in hopes of providing additional parking to fans in light of the San Jose Earthquakes soccer game taking place on campus that afternoon. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to secure parking in order to not miss any of the match. The SCUTS appreciate your understanding. The team returns from Spring Break this week and to practice Monday evening in anticipation of a winner take all match Saturday night for the 2012 Northern California Conference Championship.

Parking will be available at the following Saturday evening:

Street parking on El Camino near Accolti Way

Casa Lot behind Facilities Building

Cowell Lot

Schott Stadium Lot

Santa Clara #12 in the nation after its 44-20 victory over Chico State

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:38:37 +0000

Santa Clara defeated Chico State Saturday afternoon by a final score of 44-20 to avenge its only league loss of the season dating back to the second game of league (Chico 43-Santa Clara 42). Rain and heavy winds were in the area throughout the week and made for difficult playing conditions, but the SCUTS were able to jump out to an early lead and went into halftime up 19-8. The team would maintain its momentum in the beginning of the second half and led 36-8 with 20 minutes remaining. Chico State would score 2 tries in the last 15 minutes and the SCUTS would respond with a late try and penalty kick from wing Teddy Mefford to bring the final score to 44-20 in favor of Santa Clara.

Inside Center Nick Johnson and Hooker Ryan Falvey each had two tries on the day, and Craig Kisylia and Alan Lee added a try a piece. The team focused on its tackling and playing strong defense and was happy with its overall effort on the afternoon. The SCUTS have now moved up in the national rankings and find themselves ranked 12th in the country heading into the team’s last match of the season against 13th ranked Sacramento State on April 7th. The winner of the game will take home the Nor Cal Conference Title and have a great opportunity for securing an at large bid to the Sweet 16 National Tournament at the end of April.

Santa Clara has the next 2 weeks off for finals and quarter break, but returns to campus April 2 for a week of training leading up to what should be a great match on April 7. The team looks to make history and bring home a title for Santa Clara!

In the B-side match, Santa Clara’s second side demonstrated tremendous determination and heart in a great comeback that just fell short, as the team fell to Chico State 29-27. A last second try by freshman JJ Holmgren put the team in an opportunity to tie the match, but the difficult conversion fell just short. Still, the effort demonstrated shows the resiliency of the young SCUTS and a glimpse of what the future years will hold.


Northern California
Club	W	L	T	PF	PA	Diff	BT	BL	Pts
Santa Clara	4	1	0	192	123	69	5	1	22
Sacramento State	4	1	0	163	145	18	3	0	19
Chico State	1	4	0	144	186	-42	3	2	9
Stanford	1	4	0	107	152	-45	1	1	6

18th ranked Santa Clara remains in first after victory over #23 Stanford

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:48:41 +0000

Santa Clara defeated Stanford Saturday afternoon for the second time this season by a score of 33-21 and remain in first place of Northern California with two home matches remaining. The game was hard fought from both sides and the first half was a back and forth affair. Two first half tries from wing Teddy Mefford as well as solid Santa Clara defense saw the halftime score tied up at 12. The SCUTS fell behind early in the second half, but in what has continued to be a theme for the team this season, it was their late game effort that won them the match. The final 25 minutes proved to be the difference, as the team would add three more tries to take a commanding lead and not look back. Mefford added his third try of the match, and forwards Craig Kisylia and Luke Cashman each notched a try. Cashman’s try came off great phase play that saw the team maintain possession and a long run from prop Chris Falvey set up the score.

In the B-side match, Santa Clara would come out victorious by a final score of 45-17. Jimmy Summer and Kevin Bell each had two tries, and Adan Rivera, Randy Scarlett, Brando Petrini would each add a try in what was an impressive showing from the SCUTS second side. The team got off to a great start and led 19-7 at half and maintained the momentum in dominating fashion during the second half of play.

The team returns to action this Saturday against Chico State at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 Noon with a second side match to follow. Come celebrate St. Patrick’s day with the SCUTS as the team looks to maintain its momentum through league. With a victory and a Sacramento State loss to Stanford, Santa Clara will clinch a league title.

Saturday is a rugby day!

Northern California Standings -3/11/12
Club	W	L	T	PF	PA	Diff	BT	BL	Pts
Santa Clara	3	1	0	148	103	45	4	1	17
Sacramento State	3	1	0	122	121	1	2	0	14
Chico State	1	3	0	124	142	-18	3	2	9
Stanford	1	3	0	83	111	-28	0	1	5

SCUTS move up in recent polls; ranked 18th in country

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:19:20 +0000

Following Santa Clara’s victory over previously 8th ranked Sacramento State, the team has moved up 5 spots in the most recent national poll and now finds itself ranked 18th in the country heading into this Saturday’s match with 23rd ranked Stanford. The team looks to keep the momentum going this weekend. Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm at Steuber Field on the campus of Stanford University.

#23 SCUTS 37-26 victory over #8 Sac State leaves them in first place

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:28:42 +0000

Santa Clara defeated Sacramento State Saturday afternoon by a score of 37-26 to take over first place in Northern California as the first half of the league season has come to an end. The team focused on having a fast start and credited their early intensity to being the difference in a great match. Sophomores Chris Falvey and Tim O’Hara each scored a try on the day and senior Ryan Falvey had a hat trick with 3. Senior wing Teddy Mefford completed 3 conversions as well as connecting on two penalties throughout the match. The team’s defensive effort was especially strong and proved to be the difference in multiple stands in which Sacramento State was not able to convert on several opportunities. Santa Clara’s depth proved to be valuable as several players came off the bench to have a tremendous impact on the outcome. The team is now in first place in league heading into the second half of the season which begins this Saturday when Santa Clara visits Stanford. Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm at Steuber Field on the campus of Stanford University.

Northern California
Club	W	L	T	PF	PA	Diff	BT	BL	Pts
Santa Clara	2	1	0	117	81	36	3	1	12
Sacramento State	2	1	0	81	86	-5	1	0	9
Chico State	1	2	0	89	101	-12	2	1	7
Stanford	1	2	0	61	80	-19

#23 Santa Clara travels to #8 Sacramento State Saturday

admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:18:29 +0000

On Saturday afternoon the SCUTS will face Sacramento State in a pivotal league match on the road. Kick off is scheduled for 1pm in what is expected to be a hard fought and competitive match. Sacramento State sits atop the league standings at 2-0 and the SCUTS are right behind at 1-1. The team is focused on a great week of practice in anticipation of what should be a close match this Saturday!

Prior to the match, several SCUTS alum have organized a pre-game get together for all alumni, family, and friends of the team that will be held at the bar Bislas located at 7042 Folsom Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95826 and festivities will begin at 11am. Further questions about the alumni gathering can be sent to Mary Werling at mary.werling@gmail.com or Ryan Falvey at santaclararugby@gmail.com.

Looking forward to a great day of rugby and seeing many fans of the SCUTS this weekend! Saturday is a rugby day!

Spirited comeback not enough as SCUTS fall to Chico State 43-42

admin — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:43:33 +0000

Santa Clara traveled to Chico State Saturday morning and a slow start saw the team working to come from behind throughout the match. Down 22 to 0 to start the game and 36-7 with 25 minutes remaining, the SCUTS put together a great comeback that just fell short as the team was not able to overcome the early deficit. The team put together multiple phases that led to 5 tries to end the match but with no time remaining, the opportunity to finish a tremendous comeback would not be possible. The team came away disappointed with the tough start to the match and the position they put themselves into, yet the comeback and resiliency demonstrated from the team has them looking forward to a great week of practice leading up to a pivotal match with Sacramento State next Saturday. Tries from Craig Kisylia, Nate May (2), Alan Lee, Nick Johnson, and Mike Cunningham highlighted the team’s comeback Saturday afternoon. The SCUTS take on Sacramento State next Saturday in Sacramento with an A-side Kick off scheduled for 1pm.

Rugbymag’s review of both Nor-Cal matches from Saturday: http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3569:tight-games-in-norcal-college&catid=48:mens-di-college&Itemid=208

Nor-Cal Div 1 Standings

Club	W	L	T	PF	PA	Diff	BT	BL	Pts
Sacramento State	2	0	0	55	49	6	1	0	9
Santa Clara	1	1	0	80	55	25	2	1	7
Chico State	1	1	0	70	74	-4	2	1	7
Stanford	0	2	0	34	61	-27	0	1	1