Stanford, California – Saturday January 26th

A more physical and determined Stanford team took the field against a strong Cal Poly side on Saturday, and while the result ultimately went to Cal Poly, the Cardinal showed significant improvement in their performance, particularly with their physicality and aggression. The Mustangs started early with two tries in the first 15 minutes, countered by a Stanford scored by Sophomore lock Austin Carey and converted by Freshman fullback Sam Falkenhagen. After another Cal Poly try, Stanford was on the scoreboard again with a Falkenhagen penalty bringing the score to 17-10 Mustangs. The last ten minutes of the half were back and forth, and a long break by Freshman center Jovi Ripert came up just short of leveling the score. Cal Poly was able to recover and a kick over the top that was reclaimed for a try to bring the halftime lead to 22-10 Mustangs. In the second half the Mustangs started to pull away with two tries, but Stanford would fight back with two tries of their own by Sophomore hooker Jeremy Kim and Senior flyhalf Dan Ibarra to bring the score to 36-20 Mustangs with 20-minutes to play. After more back and forth action, Cal Poly would break the line next with 11-minutes to go, followed by two tries in the final 10-minutes for a final of Cal Poly 53-Stanford 20.

In the 2nd XV’s match, Cal Poly defeated the Cardinal 2nds 30-19 that featured strong performances from Freshmen scrumhalf Alex Le Roux, Freshman flanker Rory Houghton-Baker, Freshman Winger Taylor Clayton, and Sophomore Winger Kibet Martin.

Next Up: Stanford at San Diego State at 2pm on Sunday 2/24

Stanford Team:
1: Cam Bailey (Nick Perkins) 2: Jeremy Kim 3: Patrick Quigley (Mitch Hokanson) 4: Austin Carey 5: Stewart Youngblood 6: Graham Thompson 7: Evan Bowechop 8: Dan Agness 9: Masato Kuok 10: Dan Ibarra 11: Alejandro Sanchez (Wesley Greiner)12: Weston LeGrandeur 13: Jovi Ripert 14: Zach Saraf (George Fullerton) 15: Sam Falkenhagen

In the first conference match of the season, Stanford traveled to Santa Clara on Friday February 1st to take on Santa Clara. In a back and forth first half, Stanford was unable to capitalize on early pressure, and Santa Clara took advantage of good field position twice to take a 12-0 lead. After the half, a long range Santa Clara try was rebounded by a break from freshman wing Sam Falkenhagen who converted his own try to bring the score to 19-7 Santa Clara. Santa Clara found momentum in the final 20 minutes to pull away to a 34-7 victory.

In the second conference match of the season, Stanford started strong earning a 5-0 lead in the second minute courtesy of a lineout drive from the forwards that sophomore flanker Austin Carey finished off. After that, Saint Mary’s controlled most of the first half. While Stanford rebounded to put in a better second half performance, in the end the Gaels were too strong.

Next Up: Stanford vs. Cal Poly– Saturday February 16th @ 2pm at Steuber Rugby Stadium

Stanford Team vs. Santa Clara:
1: Patrick Quigley 2: Ryan Swoboda 3: Cameron Bailey (Mitch Hokanson-70th minute) 4: Chris Herries (Evan Bowechop- 45th minute) 5: Stewart Youngblood 6: Austin Carey 7: Jeremy Kim (Graham Thompson-55th minute) 8: Dan Agness 9: Masato Kuok (Alex Le Roux-75th minute) 10: Dan Ibarra 11: Wesley Greiner 12: Weston LeGrandeur 13: Jovi Rippert (Alejandro Sanchez 70th minute) 14: Zach Saraf 15: Sam Falkenhagen

Stanford Team vs. Saint Mary’s:
1: Patrick Quigley 2: Ryan Swoboda (Graham Thompson-20th minute) 3: Cameron Bailey 4: Chris Herries (Evan Bowechop- 45th minute) 5: Stewart Youngblood (James Spicer-65th Minute) 6: Austin Carey (Graham Thompson-55th min) 7: Jeremy Kim 8: Dan Agness 9: Masato Kuok 10: Dan Ibarra 11: Alejandro Sanchez 12: Weston LeGrandeur 13: Jovi Ripert 14: Zach Saraf 15: Sam Falkenhagen