Rugby Wins Conference Title

By Tom Schreier

Despite key players unable to suit up and then losing others to injury early in the game, the No. 12 Santa Clara University Touring Side rugby club defeated No. 13 Sacramento State 23-20 on Saturday night to win the Nor Cal Region.

With the victory, SCUTS is currently in the running for an at-large bid to the Western Regional, which will be held at Stanford University on April 28 and 29.

"It really was a huge team win," said senior Ryan Falvey. "We had multiple guys step in."

Santa Clara began the game without All-American sophomore Tim O'Hara due to injury. Junior Nick Johnson, who scored the opening try of the contest, and senior Alan Lee were both injured within the first 10 minutes of the game. 

"We had a crazy lineup in the second half," said senior Joey Murphy, speaking about the adjustments the team had to make after losing two centers and a cornerstone player. "A lot of those guys hadn't played those positions before and we just came out and took care of business."

Freshman Mark Kuppenbender and junior Alex Pascale stepped up in replacement of Johnson and Lee.

"Both those guys definitely came in and gave us a huge lift," said Falvey. "They were just ready."

Senior Danny Iritani, who Murphy said "played out of his mind," was forced to switch positions as well. Teddy Medford, another senior, carried the team in the second half.

Asked to make kicks at critical times, Medford put the team up 16-15 with two straight kicks.

"What's great for us is when a penalty is called... and you have the ability to say to Teddy, 'Go make that kick,' it helps us like crazy," said Falvey.

"It means you don't have to score on every possession in terms of a try -- we can afford to make the kick," he said.

Kuppenbender, a man the team calls "Cheese," was able to put five on the board to put the game out of reach for Sacramento State. 

Fittingly with Kuppenbender, it wasn't a superstar, or even an established veteran, that came through for Santa Clara. Medford would hit the kick to tack on another two points for SCUTS. 

Sacramento State scored with five minutes remaining in the game, but was unable to convert, and allowed Santa Clara to cling to a 23-20 lead on the ensuing kickoff. Sacramento State did well to maintain possession, but a last minute penalty allowed SCUTS to clinch the victory and a conference title.

"We told the guys at the beginning of the year that you never have the healthy 23 guys the entire season," said Falvey. "We need every guy, every guy is going to give us a chance to make a big play."

After finishing winless last year, their first season in Division I, SCUTS has rebounded this season year with six victories against four defeats. This season, steadfast commitment to the program and to each other has been paramount for the players.

"Everyone's bought in (and) that's how you win championships," said Murphy. "It's not just one guy."

The team will continue training in anticipation of an invitation to the Western Regional, which will take place at Stanford in three weeks.

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