Men’s Rugby- A Dominating Home Opener

By: Isabella Buoncristiani '28

It was a crisp autumn day last Saturday, providing a perfect home opener for Men's Rugby against Long Beach State. The Gaels were more than ready to get out on the field and show the Sharks how the National Champs perform.

This game began with the Gaels immediately asserting dominance. Siale Ofa '28 scored the initial try of the match within the first ten minutes. He was a real showstopper with his commanding skill and powerful strides upfield into Shark territory. 

Our team had powerful scrum downs and the lineouts were executed extremely well. In addition, the passes between players were flawless. These fundamental aspects helped set the precedent for a continuous scoring frenzy.

It was evident that the communication occurring between the Gaels was effective and kept our team on top throughout the duration of the match. Benjamin Hatch '28 displayed notable defensive efforts and stopped any offensive threat from Long Beach. Towards the end of the game, Iosefa Toia'ivao '26 had a strong run and a great assist to Tatum Papas '27, who then scored another try.

The concluding score was a staggering 87-10. The Gaels exhibited unwavering dominance against their opponent. This home opener was an impressive start to follow up last year's iconic season for Men's Rugby here at SMC. The next home game will be on November 23rd against Silicon Valley and Marin. Come out to support the Gaels!