November 8, 2025

Steuber Rugby Stadium
Stanford, CA

Stanford 77 - San Jose State 0

Stanford Women's Rugby hosted San Jose State in a preseason match up as they continue to build toward the conference season which kicks off in January. The match was played over three 30-minutes halves giving ample time for first year players to gain some critical experience. 

The first period featured a line-up of seasoned players along with one player new to the sport, Anabella Hernandez at fullback. The Cardinal scored in the second minute after multi-phases which found flanker Jara Emtage-Cave in her for first of three tries. The first year doctoral student brings a wealth of experience from playing with the Barbados National Team to the National Champion teams at Harvard University.  

The Spartans held the Cardinal out of the tryzone for the next seven minutes before Emtage-Cave dotted down her second. In 14th minute, Sydney Davis playing #8, found the tryline and sophomore flyhalf Chisa Ogaki slotted the conversion. In the 18', Hernandez with ball in hand weaved through the defense and down the sideline for her first of a soon to be hat trick. The former soccer goalie has been an anticipated addition to the squad since picking up the sport just two months ago. In the 26th minute, Emtage-Cave tallied her final of a hat trick for the Cardinal with Ogaki adding the extra two points bringing the first period to 29-0.

The Cardinal stayed on the front foot in the second period thanks to dominant carries from multiple returning players, including prop Hope Adhanom-Shipman, who was later recognized by the Spartans as Forward of the Match. Two minutes into the period, Ogaki converted her own try and soon after Hernandez was in for her second. A familiar name to the score sheet, Kirsten Lees, found the try zone after breaking multiple tackles on a 50 meter carry. Ogaki finished the period with her second try of the match after a fake switch to out score the Spartans by 24 in the second period.

The third period welcomed nine first year players to the pitch, with special recognition to Emma Eisemon, Alice, Rowe, and Hania Ijaz who donned the Cardinal jersey for the first time. Veteran player Emma Cruz started off the third period scoring four minutes into the period. Cruz tallied several steals over the course of the match as well which limited the Spartan attacking phases. In the 13th minute of the final period, Jana Gomri, was tackled at the line but outstretched to score the try; her first of her career in the Cardinal jersey. In the 16th minute, first year player Emma Lewis scored for the Cardinal. A highlight that followed several punishing runs and thwarting tackles by the rookie center. The match was capped off by an unforgettable try for all those in attendance. In the final minutes, the Cardinal defense formed a line at the 50m, as the Spartans moved the ball from the ruck, hooker Catherine Armstrong telegraphed the pass and snagged it out of the air sending her on a 45 meter race to the tryline. As five blue jerseys closed in on her, she passed the ball over her left shoulder to Thalia Revilla who finished the try. Freshman scrumhalf Karina Byzek converted the score for a 22-0 margin in the third period. 

The Cardinal will host Santa Clara University this coming Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Steuber Rugby for an 11am kickoff in a double header with the men's team against CSU Monterey Bay at 2pm. Follow us on Instagram @stanford_rugby for the schedule. 

Tries: Jara Emtage-Cave (3), Sydney Davis, Anabella Hernandez (2), Chisa Ogaki (2), Kirsten Lees, Emma Cruz, Jana Gomri, Emma Lewis, Thalia Revilla

Conversions: Chisa Ogaki (4), Hernandez, Karina Byzek

Stanford Women's Rugby 

* First Match in a Cardinal Jersey