Rugby Can't Extend Historic Run

By Tom Schreier

"S-C-U, S-C-U!" The chant echoed across Stanford's campus on Saturday night from loyal Santa Clara fans that had made the trip to pay homage to their rugby team. Although the Santa Clara University Touring Side's club season had just come to a bitter end in the form of a 59-14 loss to San Diego State, the fans had reason to be proud of their team's historic campaign. 

"Definitely not the way we wanted it to end," said Team President Ryan Falvey, "but this is probably the best team we've had in 25-30 years."

San Diego State was a worthy opponent and preyed on a Santa Clara team that was short two starters due to academic ineligibility for lack of units.

"We had two starters we found out an hour before the match were not eligible," said Falvey. "It definitely affects you. It affects the psyche of the team."

Ranked No. 2 in the nation, San Diego State treats its rugby club like a varsity team -- allowing players to use the varsity locker room and training facility.

"That's one of the things, as far as the school, that could help," said SCUTS Head Coach Paul Keeler, in reference to Santa Clara's athletic department. "Just having a little more support as far as access to facilities that are already in place when you're a club sport and putting in so much effort, it's a very physical sport, that would be helpful."

There was a large crowd on hand for the game on Saturday, with many Santa Clara students coming out to support the team.

"We think about the people that come to our games and we want to win for them," said Falvey. "When we see a big crowd like that, our friends and all the people we see on a daily basis, it's a really cool feeling."

The game was played at Steuber Field, a state-of-the-art facility that features a gilded clubhouse with an archway and stadium seating.

"It's an amazing facility," said Falvey. "It's arguably the best rugby field in the country at any level."

The consolation match on Sunday was a quieter affair, as SCUTS lost to Oregon State, 63-27.

Santa Clara remained in the match until about the 30-minute mark, when Oregon State struck with 15 points in ten minutes. SCUTS could not recover and went on to lose 63-27.

"It was competitive three-quarters of the way," said Murphy following the match. "It was tough to come out and lose two days in a row, but I'm really proud of our boys."

Santa Clara joined Division I last season and went 0-6 facing Stanford, Chico State and Sacramento State in conference. This year the team rebounded and went 5-1 in conference, their only loss was a 43-42 defeat in Chico. Overall, the team finished 6-6 with preseason and playoffs included.

"At the beginning of the year our goal was to win league and going 0-6 in league last year we thought that was a stretch," said Murphy. "We accomplished that, so we have to set a new goal. Next year we know our new goal will be winning a National Championship."

Keeler and his coaching staff are expected to return next season, as well as All-American sophomore Tim O'Hara.

"We had great leadership throughout the year," said Murphy. "That's not just the seniors - that's the juniors, sophomores and freshmen. They have clearly stepped up, and I have no doubt in my mind they will continue that legacy."

As the Santa Clara players walked off the field on Sunday there were no "S-C-U" chants, but they left knowing that the program was moving in the right direction.

"It's just an evolution," said Murphy. "We took a giant step in SCUTS rugby history this year."

Contact Tom Schreier at tschreier@scu.edu or (408) 554-4852.