Men's Rugby
Saint Mary’s College has an outstanding college rugby program that has performed at consistently high levels throughout its years in USA Division 1. Each year, Dozens of young men venture onto the grounds of Pat Vincent Field with aspirations of championship play. Participants are well aware of the responsibility to uphold the long standing traditions of Gael Rugby.
9th Annual Pat Vincent Dinner | November 18
Purchase your ticket now.
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NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
Student Interest Meeting | Sept 12 | 6:00pm room: Gal 202
Fall 2017 Senior Retreat at Warren Lake
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USA Rugby Names All Americans for 2016 - 2017
Collegiate All-American First XV
#6 Alec Barton - Saint Mary's College
#7 Kevin O'Connor - Saint Mary's College
#9 Holden Yungert - Saint Mary's College
Collegiate All-American Second XV
#8 Vili Helu - Saint Mary's College
#15 Dylan Audsley - Saint Mary's College
Collegiate All-American Honorable Mention
#12 Aaron Matthews - Saint Mary’s College
Collegiate All-American First Team-Sevens
Dylan Audsley, Saint Mary’s College
June 29, 2017
Coach Tim O’Brien Named to USA Rugby Hall of Fame | By: Christian Portillo
MORAGA, CALIF. - Saint Mary’s Men’s Rugby Head Coach Tim O’Brien has been inducted as part of the Class of 2017 into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame. O’Brien, along with nine other members, will be formally introduced as a member of the Hall of Fame at an upcoming induction dinner.
Although he is not one that does things for recognition, his accomplishments as both a player and coach deserve to be honored. O’Brien’s career started with the Palo Alto Rugby Club as a 17-year-old. When he moved onto the collegiate level, he took his talents to and excelled at Cal Berkeley. As team captain, he led the Golden Bears to consecutive national championships in 1980 and 1981. Click here for full article
June 8, 2017
Florugby | Alex Goff
FloRugby Recognizes Top College 7s Players Click here for full article
Dylan Audsley, Holden Yungert, Aaron Matthews
June 7, 2017
Florugby | Alex Goff
College Freshman of the Year
Payton Telea named Florugby College Freshman of the Year!
Pools set for the 7's championship series. Visit the CRC Event Guide here.
Saturday June 3 | Pool Play | Talen Energy Stadium
SMC vs. Boston College | Win 19-12
SMC vs. Temple | Win 41-0
SMC vs. Dartmouth | Win 26-7
SMC vs. Life | Quarterfinals | L 5-7
Visit the USA Rugby College 7's Website for more information
Cup Finals SMC vs Lindenwood | L 5-26
Cup Semi Finals SMC vs Davenport | Win 40-12
Cup Quarterfinals SMC vs Grand Canyon | Win 36- 5
SMC vs Fordham | SMC Win 25 - 0
SMC vs James Madison | Win 45- 0
SMC vs Bowling Green | Win 31 - 5
May 16, 2017
D1A Rugby | Alex Solomon
California's All-Conference Teams Announced
LAFAYETTE, Colo. – As they did a season ago, the Saint Mary’s College Gaels went undefeated in the California Conference. This spring, the Gaels made good on their regular season by capping the season with their third D1A National Championship. The team’s impeccable form earned Saint Mary’s more players on the All-Conference team than any other California side.
The only other California Conference team to qualify for the D1A Playoffs, Canterbury’s ninth-ranked San Diego State, was second behind the Gaels with six players named to the 1st Team. Click here for full article
D1A Rugby National Champions SMC 30 vs. Life 24
Saint Mary’s Defeats Life University 30-24 for Third National Championship in Four Years | Christian Portillo
MORAGA, CALIF. - A year after Saint Mary’s lost in the D1A National Championship to Life University 24-20 in front of their home crowd, they had the opportunity to avenge themselves on Saturday at Saint Mary’s Stadium. Not only was it a chance to make up for last year’s heartbreak, it was a chance to break the tie between the Gaels and Running Eagles over the past four title matches. Life won the championship in 2013 and 2016 while Saint Mary’s repeated in 2014 and 2015.
In order to beat Life, Saint Mary’s knew that they had to improve on their sloppy 43-7 semifinal win over Arizona. Cutting down both turnovers and penalties was a focal point in practice over the past week and defense, as always, was also heavily emphasized. With this in mind, the Gaels were aware that they would have to play close to a perfect game to overcome the undefeated Running Eagles. Click here for full article
Saint Mary's wins D1A | Alex Goff, Goff Rugby Report
Dylan Audsley scored 25 points, Holden Yungert was MVP, the ground in Moraga, Calif. shook with the vibrations of the tackles between Life and Saint Mary's, and Kevin O'Connor was superb as the Gaels held of an excellent Life team 30-24 Saturday.
The lead changed multiple times, and we attempted to describe the activities in this report (click here).
But sometimes it's about the pictures. Read full article here
SAINT MARY’S BEATS LIFE IN CLASSIC AFFAIR, WINS THIRD D1A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP | Alex Solomon, USA RUGBY
MORAGA, Calif. – In a fifth consecutive D1A Rugby National Championship meeting between the two schools, Saint Mary’s College defended Saint Mary’s Stadium Saturday in a 30-24 defeat of Life University. Read more here.
St. Mary's Beat Life For Third DI-A Title | This is American Rugby
For the past four years it's been either Life or St. Mary's that have gone home with the DI-A title. Each team had taken home the trophy twice. In the rubber match St. Mary's came from behind with a late try to win 30-24. It was a battle of two teams that competed hard in all aspects of the game. The defense from both teams was strong and each showed the savvy of two great teams.
Life had the first chance at points with an early penalty but Sam Cowley's kick was off the post. Still, Life had the best part of the early action and soon they were on the board as lock Mike Islava crashed over. Cowley hit the easy conversion to make it 7-0. Read full article here
SAINT MARY'S CAPTURES 3RD D1A TITLE OVER LIFE | By Evan Lappen
In the rubber match between Saint Mary’s and Life for the D1A National Championship, the match came down to who could handle the pressure of the moment. With the golden boot connecting on six penalties and a try, Gael fullback Dylan Audsley powered his team to the 30-24 win after trailing at halftime. The Saint Mary’s defense stood up the challenge and capitalized on Life’s penalty trouble. The victory gives Saint Mary’s its third D1A National Championship and second in a row.
According to Audsley, “Defensively, we were outstanding. We had mistakes, but it’s about moving on to the next play one at a time. Defensively, Life was really strong, good team, very well structured and we stood up to that today. It’s a testament to how we played defensively.”
“[To battle back in the second half,] it comes from a structure and a gameplan that we practice every week, but it mainly the relationships with the guys next to you. It’s the accountability, sacrifice, and trust. That’s what we live by and we have been living by that all season.”
Special Thanks to our Photographers
