Pepperdine’s rugby team has started the season strong since winning the Division II Southern Section Championship last year. The Waves crushed the visiting Azusa Pacific University Cougars 43-6 in their first preseason game Saturday, Oct. 8 followed by a 24-15 victory over rival Cal State Fullerton, Saturday, Oct. 15, at Fullerton.
By the second half of the Oct. 8 game, head coach Robert Ahola had placed most of the rookies in the game, according to senior Aurelio Jr. Barreto.
“Within the first few minutes of the game our team really got on a roll and just never stopped,” junior Jordan Farmer said. “APU is great bunch of guys, but they’re a younger team and in a lower division than Pepperdine.”
Sophomore Takuto Suzuki emphasized on the importance of beating APU, despite it being an easy matchup.
“The win against APU was a great confidence-booster,” Suzuki said. “Many of us haven’t played in a game since May, and we were given new positions this year. It was nice to feel the click between the teammates.”
According to Barreto, Suzuki, grad student James Conole and the forwards played exceptionally well. However, Suzuki played down the comment, insisting the win was a team effort.
“I felt that all of us were a threat,” Suzuki said.
Last year the team boasted an undefeated preseason along with only two losses during regular season. They fell one game short of reaching nationals.
“We’re missing some of our key players from last year but we have great players stepping up to fill their spots,” Farmer said.
Barreto added: “This year we plan to go all the way to nationals.”
Last weekend’s game against Fullerton on Oct. 15 was expected to be a tough matchup.
“Fullerton is a big match-up for us,” Barreto said before the game. “We’re working hard in practice and getting ready. We are favored to win the game, but they’ll be a tough opponent.”
The club sports team practices three times a week, with around two to three hours per practice to prepare for games.
“For this semester, we need to stay undefeated and build as much confidence, skill and momentum as we can,” Suzuki said.
Upcoming Games:
HOME Oct. 22 vs UC Riverside
HOME Oct. 30 vs USC
HOME Nov. 12 vs Alumni
AWAY Dec. 3 vs LMU
