Pre-Season Recap

Saturday's a Rugby Day!

Tomorrow we take on Sacramento State in our own version of the Causeway Classic... as long as the rain and field conditions don't get the games canceled.  After two solid preseason games and weeks of good practices, we're feeling ready.  Here's a quick recap of how the pre-season has gone to catch you up...

Our first match was Saturday 10/26 against Berkeley Men’s Rugby Club and our A side came out on top winning 31-26, followed by a valuable development-focused B-side game.  The Aggie defense this year has been solid, forcing each side’s opponents to truly earn every point they get.  Vice Captain Keihan Infantes notes that with “a lot of new players in the team and a lot of chemistry to still build, it has only improved game after game” with “a lot of room to keep going.”  No matter where we are though, Davis HITS, with Keihan also pointing out that “everyone on our team is loving the physical aspect of the game.” 

Joseph Almuhana (#7) scores a try against Berkeley to extend the lead to 26-14 with Captain George Zavala (#2) and Prop Jack Hansen (#1) in close support

Captain George Zavala added that the “rookies are making a big impact” this year, in addition to returning players. Specifically, he highlights our new starting fly-half, Donald Ng, and rookie forwards, Sully Rothwell, and Emilio Cardenas, as having contributed extensively to the team’s recent success. 

Last weekend, the team hosted the San Jose Men’s Rugby Club in a full-sided game broken into 20 minute quarters where both A and B side players were on the field together as a final chemistry-building and experience-gathering match.  While the Aggies were eventually outmatched 14-24, our leadership feels the game was a resounding success given that the A-side held the Seahawks scoreless in the first half 14-0.  Then the newer players had the opportunity to battle side by side with experienced players against tough competition.  In addition to the solid and physical defensive work, consistent line breaks and just-missed scoring opportunities show the promise of a potentially lethal offense to boot. 

Our focus at practice this week has generally been situation-based, with lots of pod work and ensuring that we support our teammates during line breaks.  Overall, the team is excited for our first official season test, away against the Hornets at Sacramento State tomorrow on their IM Field. 

As always if you’re available and in the area we would love to see you come support the lads doing what we love! 

Stingers down baby, and GO AGS!

See you soon,

Aiden Trojak
Club Secretary

Aggies after the Berkeley match (left to right):  Nic Allen (#15), Maxwell Burns (#8), Ryan Morimoto (#13), George Zavala (#2, Captain), Joseph Almuhana (#7), Keihan Infantes (#9, Vice Captain), Travis Orem (#11), and Joe Lenning (#6)

Also… a big THANK YOU to our supporters who have helped with donations for this season. If you haven’t yet but you are able, please click here to help out. As a Sports Club run by students and volunteer coaches, we appreciate every contribution however small or big!

UPDATED 11/22 at 5:36PM. SAC STATE MATCH CANCELLED DUE TO THE WEATHER AND FIELD CONDITIONS!!! NO MATCH TOMORROW!

'24-25 Captain's Letter

Greetings everyone,

My name is George Zavala, and I am honored to serve as the captain of UC Davis Men's Rugby for the 2024-2025 season. I have had the pleasure of being part of this incredible club for nearly three seasons, and it has undoubtedly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Our team takes pride in creating a welcoming environment while competing at the highest level in one of the most challenging collegiate rugby conferences in the United States. Reflecting on our 2023-2024 season, we achieved a lot, but I believe we still have more to strive for. My goal for this season is for us to compete fiercely in every game and make a strong push for the playoffs come spring.

With a young squad heading into the season, I anticipate some growing pains, but that’s exactly why we’ve scheduled preseason action, to prepare ourselves and build a solid foundation. Over the summer, I’ve witnessed our club grow not only in athletic ability but also in administrative strength, which makes me even more confident about our potential this season.

Together with our other leaders, I invite you, as a UC Davis Rugby supporter, to join us on this journey.  Any support you can offer, whether it be attending games, making a donation, or simply following along on social media, would be greatly appreciated.   

I am excited and optimistic about what’s to come, and I look forward to playing some great rugby alongside my teammates.

Best regards,

George Zavala

‘24-25 Captain George Zavala scans the field ahead.

UCD Rugby Supporters: Can you please support George and the team by visiting ucdavisrugby.com/donate and making a donation today? The club relies on generous contributions from people like you to make it happen every year. Thank you and Go Ags!

'23-24 Retrospective

As we all get ready for a new season of Aggie Rugby, let’s take a quick minute to look back on how last year’s team finished up as they waged battle in arguably the toughest collegiate rugby conference in the United States.

After starting the ‘23-24 California Conference season with a nice home win over Sac State (36-12), Davis suffered defeat to eventual D1A National Champions St. Mary’s College at home.  The boys bounced back though with solid wins over UC Santa Cruz (50-14) at home and San Diego State (42-31) on the road. Unfortunately, that was followed up with 3 straight losses to UCSB, Cal Poly and Long Beach State.  This led to a season finale against Santa Clara at home on Seniors Day that proved to be one of the most exciting UCD matches in recent history, reflecting the epitome of Aggie Pride. 

Mike O’Donnell drags defenders in for a try against the Broncos.

In the finale, the Aggies started strong and scored quickly, but the Broncs countered their early momentum and at one point went up by 27 points. It looked to many like it could be a sour end to the season for Davis.  But the boys rallied in the second half for what was described as one of the best comebacks in Russell Field history.  The final scoring surge featured a great run by second row Max Burns, who blew through the Santa Clara midfield after a lovely short ball from Captain Francis Schumann.  As Burns dragged defenders towards the Santa Clara try line, within 10 meters of the line, he produced a beautiful offload to loose head prop Jack Hansen who crashed it over the line for a try, bringing the boys within striking distance at 35-41.

Jack Hansen on the move.

Then with less than 2 minutes remaining, the Aggies gathered the kick-off and went through multiple phases before Captain Schumann crossed the line for a try, making the score 40-41 with the clock in the red.  A few moments later, Schumann caught his breath and calmly slotted the conversion to give Davis the win with a final score of 42 to 41!

Aggie Pride!

It was an especially great finale for the Seniors and for the whole club.

Davis finished the season with a 4-4 record in conference. More importantly they left the field with memories and friendships to last a lifetime.

Beyond UCD Rugby, shout out to Mike O’Donnell, Harrison Wheeler and Francis Schumann for their selections to the California Grizzlies Conference representative side as well. This was a tremendous honor, and followed in a long line of former Aggies who were selected for rep-side honors as a result of their efforts for Davis. Great job to all!

Next up… 2024-2025…

If you are in a position to help the boys get ready for the upcoming season, please consider supporting our club by visiting ucdavisrugby.com/donate and sharing whatever you can. As a club sport, they rely on generous contributions from supporters like you. Thank you and Go Ags! 🐴🏉

Aggies to make up game vs St. Mary's in Moraga on Sunday 4/3

The Aggies make up game vs St Mary’s will take place on Sunday, 4/3 at 12 NOON on the stadium field at the back of campus in Moraga

Ags Rally around Seniors for Huge Win vs Santa Clara

In their final home game of the season UC Davis Aggies faced off against the Santa Clara Broncos, a well respected club in the division.  Before the game started, the Aggies honored the players who will be leaving at the end of the season including seniors Sam Eddins (captain), Lucas Peters, Alexander Obodoefuna, William ‘Cole’ Lipelt, Aidan Moore, and visiting students Thomas Dowling (Ireland) and Roberto Natho (Chile).  This was the final home game for each of these players. And they made this game count.

From the start, UC Davis was controlled and accurate but it was the performance in the first scrum that set the tone for the remainder of the game.  The Aggies didn’t just hold the line, they trampled the opposition. Santa Clara didn’t do themselves any favors giving away penalty after penalty.  In the first 10 minutes of the game, the Aggies had already tagged 6 points on the board as a result of Bronco errors.  The Aggies quickly set a rhythm to the game capitalizing on Bronco penalties to gain meters and over the next 30 minutes scored five tries (four converted).  The Broncos finally had a break in the last minute of the half with an uncoverted try.  The score at half-time was 39 to 5.

Santa Clara came back in the second half stronger in defense and more controlled in their ball handling but within 15 minutes the Aggies scored another try.  The Aggies added points on the board with another penalty kick but then let Santa Clara in to score a try. It might have seemed that Santa Clara was perking up just as the Aggies fitness was starting to wane until the Aggies made a break just minutes later and bagged their sixth try of the game.  Unfortunately, with just about 10 minutes left in the game, Aggies #4 was penalized with a yellow card and the team would have to finish off the game one man down.  The final ten minutes was a testament to the resilience and determination of both sides. Santa Clara used the final 10 minutes of the game and the diminished numbers of their opposition to put three tries on the board while the Aggies pushed on making one final try.  The team memorialized the final try with Captain Sam Eddins stepping in to kick the conversion in his final home game. The game concluded with a score of 61 to the Aggies and 31 to the Broncos.

The coaching staff was pleased with the performance because it demonstrated everything they knew the players were capable of bringing to the game.  After a few disappointing losses this season, it was heartening to see everything come together for a group of very hard working young men.  When asked for comments, Coach Malpass said, “Davis showed up on Senior Day. It was wonderful to see the team finally start to tap into their abilities and play with some confidence.”