Spring Rugby in Full Swing

Spring Rugby Begins

The New Paltz rugby program is back in action for the spring season, with both teams eager to build on their successes from the fall. The men’s team recently put in a strong performance at Hofstra, while the women’s team is gearing up for their season under the guidance of a new coach. With major milestones on the horizon, including the Tri-State Championship and the 40th anniversary of the club, there’s a lot to look forward to this spring.

Men’s Team: Strong Showing at Hofstra, Preparing for Tri-State Championship

The men’s team took to the field for the first time this spring in a tournament at Hofstra, facing both Hofstra and Seton Hall. Despite missing four of their seven starters due to scheduling conflicts, the team delivered a solid performance, with both the A and B sides gaining valuable game time.

Team captain Caleb Persanis reflected on the team’s effort:
"New Paltz had a really great tournament this past weekend against Hofstra and Seton Hall at Hofstra. We were missing 4 out of 7 starters due to scheduling conflicts and still managed to perform really well. Our B side also got some good play time."

In the match against Seton Hall, New Paltz crossed the try line three times, with scores coming from Taha Syed, Caleb Persanis, and Matthew Yates. Syed also converted one of the tries, adding to the team's total.

Looking ahead, the men’s team won’t play again until March 30th, but it will be for a major event - they will host the Tri-State Championship at New Paltz. This is a huge opportunity for the squad, and they will spend the coming weeks fine-tuning their game in preparation for a title run.

Women’s Team: New Coach, New Energy for the Spring Season

The women’s team is gearing up for their first matches of the spring under new head coach Angelica “Gel” Silva-Perez, a former teammate and recent graduate. Captain Sydney Rifenberg expressed her excitement for the new season:
"I'm feeling very excited for our spring season. We have some new additions to our team who look like they will be strong players. As for our coach Angelica, it's great to have them back! Gel recently graduated from New Paltz and was a great leader on the team. She's brought a lot of new drills to practice, and we are all excited to see them executed on the field."

Coach Silva-Perez shared her own enthusiasm for stepping into this leadership role:
"I'm really excited about the season ahead! Having graduated last December, I've had the chance to play alongside our returning players, and we've also got a fantastic group of new players who are eager to learn and bring their own unique strengths to the pitch. As a coach, I'm focused on helping everyone reach their full potential, both as individuals and as a team. I'm looking forward to building a supportive yet challenging environment where players can grow, improve, and succeed throughout the season."

The team is eager to get back on the field and continue their progress from the fall, where they finished as Tri-State Conference Division III finalists.

Alumni Weekend 2025: 40 Years of New Paltz Rugby

This year marks the 40th anniversary of New Paltz rugby, and plans are in motion for a special Alumni Weekend from May 1st to May 4th, 2025.

Hotel Discount for Alumni
A discounted rate has been arranged for New Paltz Rugby Alumni at Americas Best Value Inn of New Paltz (formerly the Super 8). The special rate is available for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 nights, from Thursday, May 1st to Sunday, May 4th, 2025.

• To Book: Call 845-255-8865 ext. 0 (24/7 availability) and mention the discount code: G250105S

• Rates:

  • Thursday, May 1st - $111/night + tax

  • Friday & Saturday, May 2nd-3rd - $147/night + tax

  • Sunday, May 4th - $111/night + tax

• Important: This discount is only available via phone reservations. It will not be honored through web bookings, Expedia, or other third-party sites.

Food & Drink Discount at The Ridge Café
Alumni attending the weekend can also enjoy a 15% discount at The Ridge Café (70 Main St, New Paltz) from May 2nd to May 4th, 2025. Stop by for coffee, espresso, teas, lattes, and specialty drinks at a discounted rate!

More details about the Alumni Weekend schedule will be shared in the coming months.

Remembering Jessica "Bagels" Asher

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Jessica "Bagels" Asher after her battle with cancer. In her memory, a brick has been purchased in the New Paltz Walk of Honor as a tribute to her lasting impact on the community. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, teammates, and all those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Go Hawks!