St. Mary’s Vets Prep Gaels for Rebuild

Last season was a special one for Saint Mary’s College (Moraga, Calif.). Led by a large class of seniors, the Gaels advanced to the USA Rugby DII Spring College Championship quarterfinals, a program high. Inevitably, a rebuilding year followed and although the team wasn’t in a position to contend for a West Coast conference title, there’s no sense of anxiety in Moraga, Calif. Solid, invested leadership kept the team grounded and hungry for future successes, just with a little more time. [Photos: Rebecca Harper and Reet Atwal]

In 2019-20, Saint Mary’s College took on new staff in head coach Win Shortland, Chanel Farago and Marit Winborne. They’re in the process of melding their philosophies and cultural tenets with the current team, and therefore manager Kelsey Plough had the scope to call out career-long contributors Ashley Torrecillas, Janet Miramontes and Taylor Bauerle. Like all rugby players this spring, their final seasons in the red-and-blue hoops were called early.

Twenty-one-year-old Bauerle is the youngest of the trio but is the current president and has the most playing experience with four years. The Sparks, Nev., native was reared in soccer and has applied those vision and footwork skills to flyhalf and center, namely, but also held down blindside flanker her junior year.

 

 

“Taylor plays rugby with grit and determination, the same way she handles life off the pitch,” Plough lauded the utility back. “Taylor is a salient communicator who is never afraid to take a big hit or get in the ruck to be there for her team. Taylor is a true leader and only wants the best for her teammates, causing her presence to always be appreciated.”

Bauerle played flanker last year, and that adjustment occurred as St. Mary’s College built toward the spring regional championships. When the Gaels traveled to Southern California, the NorCal team beat Claremont College by 43 points in the first round and then faced eventual champion Fresno State the following day. The Gaels scored 34 points in the spring quarterfinal, which is no small achievement against the Bulldogs.

“Last year’s season was unique because of how many seniors we had,” Bauerle said of the 12 alumnae. “We had all played together for a while at that point, so we knew what we wanted and were able to push each other to achieve it. There was so much natural talent and chemistry that was present on the field, and we used that to our advantage to go undefeated in the regular season. It was definitely a season that none of us will forget and we are working to build back up to that success as we continue training and building up our numbers.”

 

 

Miramontes was named backs captain for 2019-20 while Andrea Zaragoza took control of the forwards. She hails from Novato, Calif., and spent high school running track and cross country. She translated perfectly to the back three, where she’s resided the previous three years.

“Janet’s leadership on and off the pitch has made a lasting impact on the team,” Plough introduced the 23-year-old. “From her consistent and powerful tries on the wing, she is the type of player to lead the backs on offense and defense. Janet is a force in the 15s season, but her speed, agility and quick thinking really shine through in her 7s performances, where this February she helped lead the team to take 6th place at LAI 7s.”

The team needed to replenish its roster and although it didn’t hit its recruitment target numbers wise, the Gaels did blood new, eager talent and never forfeited a match. The West Coast conference includes 10 teams from San Luis Obispo to Reno, so that’s no small accomplishment, especially today.

 

 

“The numbers did not mean a thing to us,” Miramontes asserted. “We played with 13, 14 or 15 players depending on the weekend, and no matter what, my team kept pushing themselves to their full extent on the pitch. We did not view the numbers as a challenge, but rather an opportunity to grow as players and learn more about the game.”

Miramontes noted a momentum within the team that intensified after every game and was replicated in practices and funneled back onto the pitch the subsequent weekend.

“With any team, mistakes will happen at practice and during games, yet this team did an incredible job with recognizing a mistake, learning from it, and changing it immediately,” Miramontes praised. “The adaptability and fortitude of this team this season represented who we are as a club, a group of ruggers that just want to play the game of rugby while playing alongside and for each other.”

 

 

Miramontes was effusive in her thanks to Shortland, Farago and Winborne, “… for the dedication they put forth for the girls and always pushing us to do better. We truly owe them an immense amount of credit.”

It was a losing season in terms of record, but the bones for a solid squad next year are there. And valuable recruits can come from anywhere – Ashley Torrecillas is a prime example. The West Covina, Calif., native swam and played volleyball in high school, and had her athletic pursuits all sorted as a freshman.

“I had quite a few friends who played on the women’s [rugby] team since the start of our freshmen year. One in particular, Kristina Tomelloso [‘19], was always trying to convince me to join the team,” Torrecillas retold her rugby-origin story. “But, one, I had never played a contact sport before so I was scared; and, two, I was playing club volleyball at the time, so I told her I would play rugby if I wasn’t playing volleyball.”

 

 

The club volleyball team is competitive, and in advance of junior year, Torrecillas was cut.

“Kristina was with me when it happened, so with a heavy heart I turned to her and said, ‘Well, looks like I can play rugby now,’” Torrecillas readied the pivot. ”Best decision of my life. Not only did I find a sport where I felt I belonged, I found a team, where I felt I belonged. The women I have played with over the past three years have been like family to me. They motivate me to be my best self both on and off the pitch. They are what I love most about the sport.”

Torrecillas, now a 23-year-old grad student, hit her stride senior year. She runs good lines, is super fast, and slips out of tackles. Last year, she scored 17 tries from outside center and was the perfect pair to No. 8 Tomelloso.

“Ashley is a powerhouse of a center who can not only break tackles of the strongest defenders but outrun the fleetest of wings and fullbacks, while still scoring hat tricks,” Plough added. “Ashley has been one of the strong forces on the team improving her play every game.”

 

 

Torrecillas is potentially eligible for another year of play depending on how USA Rugby treats eligibility in the year of Covid-19. Regardless, she knows the team will be in good hands going forward and welcome new talent wherever it might originate.

“Five players immediately come to mind: Andrea Zaragoza, Roxelle Thomas, Jasmine Gilmete, Angelica Cabot, and Madison Lane,” Torrecillas elected players-to-watch. “Andrea and Roxelle have the package of both big hits and strong runs. Jasmine and Gel may be small in size, but should not be underestimated. Jasmine is consistent with her tackles, and very persistent. Gel is a power runner and does not go down as easily as you may think. She’s a fighter. Maddi, having many years of experience under her belt, has a very high rugby IQ, and is a quick thinker on the pitch.”

Most rugby teams, leagues and tours, etc., were affected by the pandemic, and even though Saint Mary’s College wasn’t heading to playoffs, the team was one weekend away from its “senior game.” The March 21 match against CSU Monterey Bay would have been a final opportunity to play in front of friends and family and alumni.

 

 

“On top of that, we were in the process of possibly playing in the stadium,” Miramontes referenced the on-campus sports facility, where the men’s rugby team plays its game. “To be the first women’s rugby team in history to play in the stadium would have been an incredible feeling, but also a step further for our program.”

Performing well at 7s nationals also helps the program, and missing out on a return trip to the DII tournament is something the Gaels truly regret.

“Our 7s program has been remarkable,” noted Miramontes, who along with Torrecillas is a major leader. “I love playing 15s, but 7s is just another level of intensity and fun, plus who doesn’t love rugby tournaments?”

As Bauerle, Miramontes, Torrecillas and Plough all reflected on their careers at St. Mary’s College and look to their rugby lives ahead, there are only sentiments of respect, family and love left to convey …

TORRECILLAS:

Though I wish I would have joined the team sooner, it has been a privilege representing the Saint Mary’s Women’s Rugby team for the past three years. To my teammates, I will never forget the bonds we’ve made and the memories we’ve created. To my coaches, thank you for challenging me to be a better player, for pushing me past what I thought were my limits. You are all my home away from home. I can’t wait to see what things you accomplish in the future, both as a team, and as individuals. You better believe I will be coming back to watch your games and cheer you on. In times when you can’t find motivation within yourselves, remember to look at the box, and finish strong for those of us who couldn’t finish out our final season. I love you all.”

MIRAMONTES:

It has been an honor being a part of this team, as well as had the privilege to be your Backs Captain this past season. I first wish to thank all of my past and present teammates, most especially Jill Eicher, who served as the Backs Captain the past two seasons. Jill kept pushing me knowing I had the potential to become an even better player, even when I couldn’t see it and I thank you so much for that. To my coaches, thank you for the continuous support these past years. Thank you for never taking it easy on us and always pushing me to be a better leader for my teammates. To the Carondelet Women’s Rugby team, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your season, although it was cut short, I was so proud to see you all play in LA7’s Invitational. I cannot wait to see what you all are made of next season! To my teammates, I am so proud of every single one of you. You all have come a long way, but along that journey, we have overcome many obstacles to where we are today. From playing along with you in the first game to the last game, all I can say is you are all some strong badass women. I am going to miss you all so much. I cannot wait to see you all play your hearts out next year! I love you.

BAUERLE:

Playing rugby for Saint Mary’s has by far been the best decision I have ever made, and I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to be the President this year. Rugby itself has taught me so much about how far I can push myself and challenged me to face my fears every time I walked out on the pitch. To my teammates, y’all are my best friends and I am so grateful for all the memories we made together. Keep working hard out there because I know you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. To Chanel, Marit, and Win, thank you for believing in me when I did not believe in myself. It means more to me than y’all will ever know. Thank you to the league commissioner, Tiffany Lopez, for taking on the role like a champ and helping our team through this transition phase. I would also like to thank my parents for being beyond supportive of this journey and driving from Reno to see every single one of my games. I have seen this team change so much throughout my four years, but one thing has stayed consistent, we NEVER give up, and that is what I am most proud of. I will miss you all on the field, but I will always be there to support you no matter what!! Love you all.