SMC Holds off UCLA in 24–17 Victory to Advance in Men’s Rugby Collegiate Playoffs

In the first round of Division 1A Men's Rugby playoffs on Saturday, the Saint Mary's Gaels bested the UCLA Bruins 24–17. With the sun shining down on Saint Mary's home pitch, the Gaels got out in front early in a match that looked like it might be a runaway victory. But a second half comeback by UCLA brought this battle down to the wire.

The Gaels scored early thanks to first-year player Siale Ofa '28, who received the ball on the outside right. The elusive wing for Saint Mary's cut back inside and delivered a powerful stiff arm to push through one final UCLA defender to get into the try zone and open the scoring for the afternoon. This was just the beginning of 24 unanswered points for this season's playoff run.

Next up, No. 5 lock Brian McKeon '25 contributed to the scoring after skillful play from the forward pack got the Gaels inside the five-meter mark. Ollie Cline '26 converted an easy kick to make it 12–0 in favor of the home team. Siale Ofa added more to the tally with another cutback move on the outside to dot down his second try of the day, this time from only five meters out. That put the Gaels up 17–0.

But UCLA showed no signs of quitting. They were deep into Gaels territory for the closing minutes of the first half, but they could not find a gap to get on the board. One of the factors at play: SMC Coach Tim O'Brien mixed things up against the Bruins by starting Daniel Fukofuka '25 up front and Tatum Pappas '27 at scrumhalf. Fukofuka's strength in scrums is undeniable and was utilized throughout the first half to get the Gaels in front. 

Every Point Counts

After the Gaels survived late momentum in the first half from the Bruins, SMC's Dominic Besag '26 scored a try just four minutes into the second. Coaching again made an impact, this time on the set piece out of the scrum, which featured Besag faking a pass to an overlapping teammate and finding himself with nothing but space to make it 24–0 with another conversion from Ollie Cline. Saint Mary's had seemingly seized the energy and momentum once again, but the Bruins were not going to give in. 

In the 54th minute, just ten minutes after the Gaels' try, an excellent kick to the back line of the defense took a bounce into the hands of UCLA fullback Josh Cox, who found his scrumhalf Andrew McCarthy for UCLA's first points. The Bruins continued to attack and take advantage of penalties in the final ten minutes. UCLA wing Daniel Odejinmi created a gap in the defense by breaking multiple tackles and found himself in try zone. 

The Bruins were still down by 12 after the conversion, but miscues continued to help their attack. Taking advantage of a penalty resulting in a five-meter lineout, a maul and a score by the Bruins Freddie Jobber drew the underdogs within seven points in the final minutes of the match. After multiple Saint Mary's penalties, there was once again a chance for UCLA to score before time ran out. But the Gaels found a way to stay stout defensively, forcing a Bruins penalty, and Saint Mary's clinched the first-round victory by a score of 24–17. 

Find a Way

The captains of the Gaels were not necessarily pleased with the way the second half played out, but they understand the nature of the playoffs. As reigning national champions, they know that "a win is a win." That's how Co-captain Mario Storti '25 put it. Storti also referenced the slew of penalties that made it hard to finish the job, but he wanted to acknowledge that the Gaels will take a win through any fashion. 

Fellow Co-Captain Cathal Coakley '24, MA '25 said he was proud of the team for their effort. "Even when things go haywire, we have to find a way," he said. "We just have to find a way." That's exactly what the Gaels did. 

Dominic Besag, who scored what turned out to be the winning try, also made the same observation but a bit more pointedly. "We have to find a way for 80 minutes, not 40 minutes, not 45 minutes. We have to find a way for 80 minutes, and we did that today." 

"Even when things go haywire, we have to find a way. We just have to find a way." 

– Captain Cathal Coakley '24, MA '25

Time and time again, the captains and players have the same message to share after close matches. One clear takeaway I have from having seen this team play time and again: It is a cohesive unit that is working hard together to survive and advance in these playoffs. 

For the Gaels, the next round of the playoffs will once again be on Saint Mary's home pitch: SMC hosts Central Washington in the second round of playoffs on April 12. The Gaels bested the Wildcats 33–13 in February. Come on out to cheer on the Gaels to another win!

Rudy Scholz Award Nominees: Dominic Besag '26 and John Battle Wilson '26

Two Gaels have been nominated for the 2024–25 Rudy Scholz Award, which honors the top men's collegiate rugby player in the country: Dominic Besag '26 and John Battle Wilson '26. A total of 22 players have been nominated, and fans can now vote here to help narrow those down to the four finalists. Voting ends on April 7.

The Rudy Scholz Award has been presented annually since 2016 by the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle. The award is named after rugby legend Rugby Scholz, who played the sport at Santa Clara and helped Team USA win Olympic Gold twice, in 1920 and 1924. The inaugural winner of the award was Gael Dylan Audsley '17, who played with the USA Eagles and the San Diego Legion. Saint Mary's player Payton Telea Ilalio '20 earned the honor in 2020. He has also played with the Eagles, and currently plays with the San Diego Legion.