A Weekend of Ups and Downs as the Fall Season Nears Its End

As the fall season heads toward its final weekends, both New Paltz teams have faced moments of triumph and challenge. The men’s playoff journey came to a close in a hard-fought battle against Montclair, yet their resilience on the field and the growth shown by new players are testaments to a bright future ahead. Meanwhile, the women’s team secured an exhilarating overtime win in their playoff rematch with Molloy, advancing to the Tri-State Conference Division III final against Siena. Here’s a look back at last weekend and what lies ahead for New Paltz rugby.

Overtime Victory Secures Spot in Conference Final

The women’s team faced an unexpected playoff rematch with Molloy, leading to one of their most intense games of the season. The game went into overtime after both teams pushed each other to the limit, with New Paltz ultimately prevailing 40-38. In a final push, New Paltz scored a converted try to Molloy’s unconverted try, with Liam Gorelin’s kick securing the win and sending the Hawks to the conference final. Team president Celina Nehme expressed her pride and joy after the game.

“This is the best score and overall game we've had in years. I was genuinely crying tears of happiness when the whistle blew. It was a CRAZY game, insane energy from both sides.”

Coach Thierry Duclay echoed this sentiment, calling it the team’s strongest performance since he began coaching.

“After a disappointing loss to Molloy at home two weekends ago, New Paltz came back stronger than ever. This was the best game New Paltz women’s rugby has ever played since I started coaching. To see the commitment, communication, intensity, and unity these players brought to the field, converting 6 out of 7 tries and scoring a season-high, made me incredibly proud.”

The win was a collective effort, supported by three players from USMMA. One USMMA player scored four tries, while Gorelin scored two tries and completed five conversions, including the clutch kick in overtime. Coach Duclay also praised the team’s progress.

“Just a year and a half ago, we suffered losses of 100-0 and 98-0. Now we’re in second place and heading to the finals. It’s games like this that show how far we’ve come.”

He also expressed appreciation for alumni support from Hannah Rubesh, Gianna Librizzi, and Dejah Reno, whose sideline insights boosted team morale, as well as for the partnership with Kings Point, which has been mutually beneficial.

Win over Molloy College 40-38

Try: Liam Gorelin (2), Ciara (USMMA) (4)

Conversion: Liam Gorelin (5)

The Hawks will face Siena in the Tri-State Conference Division III final on Sunday, November 3rd, at noon at Siena College in Albany. Join us to cheer them on as they fight for the conference title!

Competitive Season Ends with Quarterfinal Loss, Friendly Ahead

The men’s team faced a formidable opponent in Montclair during their playoff quarterfinal, ultimately falling 59-3. The team started the game with multiple injuries, and during the match, four more starting forwards were sidelined. Nevertheless, the players fought hard, and Coach Joel Venables was proud of their effort.

“We started with injuries all over the team and ended up losing four of our starting forwards during the game, which really made things difficult. Fortunately, we had some younger guys able to fill in, but it wasn’t our best starting lineup.”

Venables noted that despite these challenges, standout players like Angelo Vargas, Caleb Persanis, and Fred Asher, whom Venables called the “standout player of the season,” continued to push forward.

In what became a scrappy, physical game, Venables also praised newer players for stepping up. Marley King, Jack Israel, Jacob Lathrop, and Aiden North each made an impact coming off the bench, with Taha Syed’s performance noted as one of the best in the game. Dom Vernola, a dedicated team player, also had a strong showing. Coach Venables highlighted the silver lining in the game.

“We have a bright future with options at flyhalf and scrumhalf, and Angelo is going to be a stud along with some of our other wrestlers.”

Looking ahead to next season, Venables noted the team’s strength at number 8 with players like Will Nicolson and Taha Syed ready to lead.

Although the playoff run has ended, the men’s team will take the field once more in a friendly against Oneonta this Saturday, giving newer players valuable game time. Come out to support the Hawks in their final game of the fall season!

Show Your Support For The Teams

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase canopy tents for the teams and secure a memorial plaque honoring Raymond Rattray, which has been installed on the equipment shed. The team president, Caleb Persanis, expressed his gratitude.

“The plaque is beautiful. It means so much to us all. Thank you.”

However, with rising transportation costs, our budget is stretched thin, and there’s still more we need to cover to ensure our players have a top-notch rugby experience. Your donations help provide essentials like tents, training equipment, and game-day support. Please consider contributing through Venmo to the New Paltz Rugby Legends account:

Every donation directly impacts the team’s ability to focus on what truly matters: getting better at the game of rugby. We will be holding a strategic planning meeting in December for anyone interested in the guidance of this initiative. Feel free to reply to this email for more details.

New York Sevens: Join the Naughty Bears!

Do you want to cap off the year with a thrilling weekend of rugby? The Naughty Bears, a social touring team founded by New Paltz alumni Andrew Torres and Arber Cobaj, are looking for a few more players to join them at the New York Sevens tournament. Whether you’re a current player or an alumnus, this is a fantastic opportunity to get involved, have fun, and represent New Paltz rugby on the big stage.

If you're interested in playing, contact Andrew Torres at [email protected] or DM the team on Instagram at @naughtybearsrugby. The deadline to express interest is November 13th. Don’t miss out on what promises to be an unforgettable experience!

Save the Date: Manhattan Meetup on November 16th

Mark your calendars! Join us in Manhattan on November 16th for an exciting day of rugby, networking, and community. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with current players, alumni, and supporters. We’ll have England vs South Africa and New Zealand vs France matches on screen, making it the perfect setting for a memorable meetup with the New Paltz rugby community.

More details to come, so stay tuned—and save the date!

Go Hawks