Stanford University 18 - American River College 17

January 27, 2024
Steuber Rugby Stadium
Stanford, CA

Stanford Men's Rugby hosted American River Rugby Club of Sacramento, CA in their first league match of the USA Rugby California Men's D1AA season. All in attendance were in for a thrilling match. Special recognition goes to #11 Auturo Kupfer '25 for his return to the roster for the season and to freshman Riley Elliot '27 for his first appearance in a Stanford Rugby jersey. 

The excitement started off early in the match when Stanford pressured the pass from the ARC scrum which forced ARC behind their 22m line with the Cardinal closing in. A botched ARC exit kick attempt found Stanford flyhalf, Thane Brueschke '25, the recipient of the ball in hand and striding towards the tryline. Brueschke dived into the try zone and converted the try to put the Cardinal on the board 7-0. The next several minutes tested the Cardinal defense as ARC made their way down the pitch through a series of strong carries. The Cardinal's tackle count rose as they battled the direct running lines of the Beavers. In the 14th minute, the Cardinal backline would bring heaps of line speed off an ARC scrum. Brueschke's quick tackle of his opposite, found inside center #12 Jeff Edsall over the ball for the poach. Playing with advantage, Brueschke would put the ball to the foot for a brilliantly placed chip it into space for #13 Lucas Cavalieri, but with a bobble of the ball, the penalty was brought back to mid field. Brueschke would slot the penalty kick from 20 meters out to send the Cardinal up 10-0. 

The Beavers would strike back in the 17th minute after a strong pursuit off the kickoff. With a bounce of the ball, ARC would put Stanford on the back foot as strong runners put the Beavers over the gain line. Ultimately, the Beavers' Prop #1 would dot the ball down in the corner, bringing the score to 10-5. 

The Cardinal regained momentum on the subsequent kickoff as a deep kick was pressured well by the Cardinals forcing a knock on. Kasen Stephensen '24, the Cardinal #8, would pick the ball from 5 meters out and work his way outside the Beaver Centers breaking tackles to score the try.  Brueschke would slot another penalty kick in the 35th minute to put the Cardinal up 18-5 at halftime. 

The Beavers would come out chomping in the second half as strong ball runners attacked the Cardinal defensive line engaging multiple defenders to the tackles. In the 60th minute, the Beavers took full advantage of a penalty tap at the 22m as their prop #3 came barreling through the defensive line at full pace for the try. Shifting the momentum in their favor, the Beavers caught the next kickoff at their defending 22m and four phases later found themselves in Cardinal territory. Quick hands by ARC flanker #7, sent winger #23 into space down the edge for the try. The converted try brought the score to 18-17 with over 15 minutes remaining in the match. 

The remainder of the match saw ARC with uncompleted scoring opportunities as the Cardinal fought hard to pressure ARC's ability to move the ball cleanly. Dropped balls and mispasses, returned the ball to the Cardinal on multiple occasions. With time expired in the match, the Beavers took a lineout inside the Cardinal defending 22m. As the ball moved out to the backline, the Cardinals launched with pressure. What resulted was back to back ARC bobbles of the ball, the latter pounced on by Elliot to regain possession. Brueschke would send the ball into touch and the Cardinal would celebrate a hard fought victory in league play over American River College. 

The outcome of the match was a product of the resilient defense by the Cardinal. Team pressure and individual tackling efforts held ARC to three tries on the day. Crucial tackles by the likes of Taki Rifai '27, Colin Grant '24, Kupfer, Edsall, and Stephensen stopped ARC line breaks slowing rising ARC momentum.

Stanford Rugby will face San Jose State next Saturday at 12:30pm on Spartan grounds in San Jose, CA. 
 

Tries: Thane Brueschke, Kasen Stephensen
Conversions: Thane Brueschke
Penalty Kicks: Thane Brueschke (2)