BY: SAMUEL WEILERT; STAFF WRITER
Photo: @sbuwomensrugby on Instagram
Fifty Years ago, St. Bonaventure University Rugby played its first season. Now in 2025, the men’s and women’s teams are some of the most decorated programs in Northeastern America.
Freshman forward Jacob Papesh is looking forward to this milestone year.
“It’s a big year for us, 50th anniversary season,” said Jacob. “We’ve got a great alumni network that gives a lot back into the program, so I can’t wait to win for them.”
Senior captain Reynard Boshoff also credits the alumni with the success the program has seen over the years.
“With it being our 50th year, our alumni laid down the foundation for us as a team, and now we have the opportunity to build upon that foundation,” Boshoff said. “Our programs are at its best now, and it can go even better from here.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams have helped build upon that foundation by winning a combined three national championships in the past 4 years. Both teams have also started the 2025 season off strong with 2-0 records through their first weeks.
Sophomore center Taylor Cohen was one of the eleven different players to score for the women’s side in their 74-0 thrashing of Boston College.
“I’m just really excited to see how the season goes,” Cohen said. “We have our eyes set on a natty, we definitely have enough skill on the team to do it, we’re really pushing for it and holding ourselves to a higher standard.”
Women’s head coach Meredith Pyke credits the team’s excitement to win as a major catalyst for their success.
“I can coach you the X’s and O’s, but you have to show up and want to play and get excited about playing,” said Pyke. “I feel like they’ve done a really great job of building each other up and making sure they’re excited and ready to go.”
Coach Pyke also stressed how this year’s schedule will have more tough competition than last year, where the team won their games by a combined score of 458-39 before their heartbreaking defeat to Wheeling University that ended the season.
“We’re in a different league now, so we need to train a little bit differently, the mindset needs to be a little different, and the girls need to be ready to play at a higher level,” said Pyke.
Junior kicker/wing Elizabeth Lyons emphasized how important it is for the team to beat Wheeling during their rematch October 25th on senior night.
“When I saw they were on the schedule, I said ‘Oh Boy!’ We’re working towards nationals, but if we can make it to Wheeling and beat them, that’ll be a great checkpoint,” she said.
Highly touted freshman scrumhalf Kaegan Rhodes expressed how hard everyone will need to work to reach their championship goals.
“If we just keep practicing and all putting in effort outside of practice, I think that we can win nationals this year,” said Rhodes.
This same sentiment was shared by Boshoff, the men’s team captain.
“It’s important for me to lead them on and off the field and set a strong example in practice, academically, in the gym, and on the field,” Boshoff said. “One of our values on the team is sacrifice, and every time we step on that field, each player plays for each other’s sacrifices that they made.”
Both teams have their next game this parents’ weekend on Saturday the 27th, with the men’s side facing off against Kutztown University and the women’s side up against the University of Cincinnati.
