March 9, 2025

Stanford Women's Rugby vs Cal Poly
Steuber Rugby
Stanford, CA

Stanford 36 - Cal Poly 33

The Cardinal hosted Cal Poly on Sunday afternoon after the unfortunate forfeit by Sacramento State for the final conference match. Fortunately, Cal Poly was available to travel north to play at Steuber on Sunday afternoon.  

The Cardinal found early momentum with two tries by Hope Adhanom-Shipman '25 in the first ten minutes of the match. The first was off the initial kickoff after a Cal Poly knock on. The ensuing scrum set the stage for strong carries by Kirsten Lees '27, captain Leila Wang Gaouette '26, and set up Adhanom-Shipman to finish the try through six defenders. The second score in the 10th minute, showcased Adhanom-Shipman's footwork and power with a try from 22 meters out. One would not know that Adhanom-Shipman is in her first year of rugby. The former volleyball standout from Peoria, IL is dominant with ball in hand and has become a familiar addition to the Cardinal pack. Cal Poly answered back at the 16th minute bringing the score to 14-5.

In the 33rd minute, Sydney Davis '25 found Cara Feit '26 in an attacking overload.  Feit weaved through the defense and was tackled about 10 meters out. The quick support of Davis and scrumhalf Vivian Studdert '28 secured possession as Chisa Ogaki '28 spotted a vacant shortside. The future mechanical engineer from Osaka, Japan kicked a grubber as she got pushed out of bounds only to reenter the field of play and dive on the ball for the try in the corner. Cal Poly scored a converted try before the half bringing the score to 19-12 at halftime. 

In the 43rd minute, Emma Troast '25 from Jupiter, FL elevated in a defensive lineout invading the space of the Mustangs in the air and coming away with possession. Lees, from Northpoint, NY, used her footwork and fend to finish for the try from 22 meters out. Feit converted her third try of the match to take a 26-12 lead.  

The Cardinal posted another try to extend the lead in the 50th minute. Ana Palacios '27, slotted in at #13 for the match, poached a ball following a Feit tackle. Palacios, a mechanical engineering major, attracted the final defender and popped the ball to winger Isabelle McNabb '26. McNabb ignited down the sideline to score a 50 meter try. 

Cal Poly answered back at the 55th minute to close the gap to 31-19. In the 60th minute, Cal Poly kicked to relieve pressure with their backs to the tryline. Fullback Ahmyah Hicks '26, from South Hill, Virginia recovered the kick and returned it 20 meters to give the Cardinal some momentum. The Cardinal forwards took control of the next five phases and narrowed the Mustang defense. Feit exploited a subsequent gap in the defense line and tallied the assist to Davis. David, an aerospace engineer, changed gears and propelled in for the try from 30 meters out. 

The Mustangs finished with two converted tries in the 64th and 80th minute of the match. The friendly proved to be an exciting battle between the teams and just what the Cardinals needed moving into the postseason. The match finished with a 36-33 victory for the Cardinal. Both teams will move on to compete in the postseason for their respective conferences this month. 

Stanford Women's Rugby finished undefeated in conference play and will face Western Washington in the Pacific Mountain Rugby Conference playoffs on Saturday March 22, 2025 at 1:00pm at Steuber Stadium. Cal will open for the day against the University of Oregon at 10:00am. This will serve as a seeding match for the Cardinal ahead of the USA Rugby D1AA Collegiate Regionals slated for the weekend of April 4th at Arizona State University.

Follow @stanford_rugby on instagram to check out the Try of the Week and @stanfordclubsports on YouTube to stream playoffs on March 22nd.


Tries: Hope Adhanom-Shipman (2), Chisa Ogaki, Kirsten Lees, Isabelle McNabb, Sydney Davis
Conversions: Cara Feit (3)

Stanford Women's Rugby v Cal Poly

1. Hope Adhanom-Shipman
2. Nancy Bao
3. Leila Wang Gaouette
4. Caia Costello
5. Paige Fitzpatrick
6. Renee Bertrand
7. Sydney Davis
8. Kirsten Lees
9. Vivian Studdert
10. Cara Feit
11. Isabelle McNabb
12. Emily Capstick
13. Ana Palacios
14. Chisa Ogaki
15. Ahmyah Hicks
16. Eva Lieberman
17. Madisyn Cunningham
18. Elisabeth Holm
19. Emma Troast
20. Tei Serrano
21. Liz Doherty
22. Catherine Armstrong
23. Lauren Stoffel