Last Sunday, the SUNY Plattsburgh men’s club rugby team started its season with a bang against division rival Paul Smiths’ College, winning 41-5 at Paul Smiths. The Cardinals previously lost by four points in a scrimmage against Siena College Sept. 14.
“They’re a tough team. They play a similar style to us, like an old school philosophy, but we’ve really just [been] working on the basics because I think we have the team to go the distance,” senior President Jesse Inguaggiato said before the victory.
The Cardinals’ men’s rugby team is a club sport on SUNY Plattsburgh’s campus and plays in the Upstate Small College Conference as part of the National Small College Rugby Organization.
Inguaggiato said club sports gives students a valuable experience and allows them to socialize with their peers, while also focusing on academics. Sophomore loose head prop Luke Ovadias also sees the value in club sports.
“It gives kids who don’t necessarily have the option to play a certain sport through the school a good outlet, and it’s a good place to meet people,” he said.
Inguaggiato has high hopes for his team this year.
“We have a nice young core,” he said. “A lot of guys have developed over the summer, and I think if we put the pieces together. We could make a run for the division.”
The men’s rugby team plays four more games this season, starting with a three game homestand and one more away game.
The men’s rugby team practices every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and requires a $60 fee to join.
The Cards continue their division schedule with their home opener this Sunday at 1 p.m. when they take on Hamilton College.
