Women's Rugby game against Sacramento State

Lauren Nazareno MA ’24 breaks the tackle during the rugby game against Sacramento State on Saturday, January 27 at Saint Mary’s Stadium. / Photo By Rebecca Harper

Club Sports Spring Season Begins Early with January Competition

Gaels take to the pitch, the water, and the court. Early wins for Women's Rugby, Men's Rugby, and Women’s Water Polo. Alumni Match-up for Men’s Lacrosse. And an inaugural competition for Men’s Club Basketball.

by Club Sports | January 28, 2024

For Saint Mary’s Club Sports teams, January 2024 kicked the year off with with a bang—with 12 games over the past three weeks. Among them: big wins for Women’s Rugby and Men’s Rugby, as well as Women’s Water Polo. Men’s Lacrosse took to the new turf field for an Alumni match-up. And Men’s Club Basketball hosted their inaugural competition.

With over 350 students involved in Club Sports and 15 active teams, Club Sports enable students to continue their athletic journey in college by playing sports after high school. Each team is affiliated with its governing body that organizes competitions amongst various college entities which are local and throughout the West Coast.

Women’s Rugby: Open with a Win

Women’s Rugby opened up their season with a win against Humboldt State on January 20 and another fiercely fought battle against Sacramento State on January 27. The Women’s Rugby team is making strides in 15’s competition this spring, and they look forward to their next home game against the University of San Francisco on February 24. Team President Alexandra Gonzalez MA ’24 recognizes the talent of the newly added team members. “Our first year rookie player Daniele Jimenez ’27 steps up as a leader on and off the pitch,” she says. “She makes great tackles and carries the team by encouraging the support on the field.”

“Our First Year rookie player Daniele Jimenez ’27 steps up as a leader on and off the pitch. She makes great tackles and carries the team by encouraging the support on the field.”
—Alexandra Gonzalez MA '24, Women's Rugby Team President

Tackle by SMC Player./ Photo by Rebecca Harper — Take down: The Gaels tackle a Sacramento State player on January 27. / *Photo by Rebecca Harper*

Women’s Water Polo: UC Beating Davis and UC Santa Cruz

Women’s Water Polo also opened up their season this January with notable wins in the tournament series at UC Davis on January 20. The Gaels defeated UC Davis B team 9–6 and UC Santa Cruz B team 12–3. Kaylie Mini ’25 was the lead scorer for the team with a total nine points for the weekend.

Women's Water polo team line up to shake hands with opposing team — Victory: After the game, the Women’s Water Polo team lines up to shake hands with the opposing team while attending the UC Davis Tournament on January 20. / *Photo courtesy Women’s Water Polo*

Men’s Rugby: Wins on the Road and at Home

Men’s Rugby opened up 2024 with wins against Grand Canyon University and UC Davis, and the January 26 home competition against University of Arizona in front of a crowd of 400 spectators. The matchup against the Wildcats ended in a victory 48–15. “The game was played with a lot of intensity and aggression,” said Saint Mary's Head Coach Tim O’Brien. “The guys were up for it; we don't have a lot of home games this year, and we know Arizona is a big, strong squad with some really impressive players.”

"The game was played with a lot of intensity and aggression, the guys were up for it; we don't have a lot of home games this year and we know Arizona is a big, strong squad with some really impressive players."
—Tim O'Brien, Men's Rugby Head Coach

Alex Goff, from The Goff Rugby Report, published this article that recounts the game as competitive, hard-hitting, and at times chippy—and noting that it was a good reminder for both teams how tough the playing gets as the season progresses.

Men's Rugby player catches the ball from a line out — Lineout: **Kaipono Kayoshi ’MA 24** reaches an Arizona player to receive the ball during the Men’s Rugby competition at Saint Mary’s Stadium on Saturday January 27. / *Photo by Rebecca Harper*

Men’s Lacrosse: Playing on New Home Turf

Men’s Lacrosse team welcomed SMC Alumni Rugby players to a duel on the new turf field on Sunday, January 28. It marked a return to the home field for the first time since 2020.

Men's Lacrosse Players on the turf field — Home field: SMC Men’s Lacrosse players both current and past battle during the Alumni game on the new recreational turf field. / *Photo by Dominico Russo ’24*

Men’s Club Basketball: Inaugural Competition

Men’s Club Basketball, which is one of three newly developed Club Sports, held its first-ever competition at the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center as they hosted Stanford in a two-game series.

Men's Club Basketball Game — **Kingston Matin ’26** defends his opponent during the first-ever Men’s Club Basketball competition at the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center. / *Photo by Dominico Russo ’24*

The office of Club Sports is looking forward to a packed spring season and continues to support the student-led teams to show off their talent.

Upcoming Home Competitions:

Men's Volleyball vs. University of Pacific | February 10, 12 p.m. @Joseph L Alioto Recreation Center
Men's Rugby vs. Boston College | February 11, 10:30 a.m. @ Saint Mary's Stadium

Story updated January 29 at 9:30 a.m.