(l-r) Freshmen Amaya De La Cruz, Derica Tialavea and Michelle Marshall / Photo: Jeff Dalton
When Lindsey Mahoney joined the Grand Canyon University (GCU) women’s rugby team in August 2019, the head coach led with some ambitious goals – like winning a national championship in a couple of years. Covid-19, of course, has complicated everyone’s trajectory, but the DI Lopes are still training like there are big gains within reach. And there are. The program is being courted by the DIA, formerly the DI Elite, and it’s an opportunity that aligns with Mahoney’s and the young players’ ambitions.
GCU started life in USA Rugby’s Division II and after a couple of years as a spring championship contender, was promoted to the DI Pacific Desert conference. The conference is now governed by the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA), which also oversees DIA.
“I firmly believe that the best way to grow your game is to play up – [a term] I stole from ARPTC,” Mahoney, an ARPTC alumna, said of the National Development Program’s mantra. “We are young – 57% of the team are freshmen – but they’re all about it. [DIA] is definitely a goal of ours, so we’re heading in the right direction. Maybe not next year, but we’re working toward it.”
This year’s freshmen account for Mahoney’s first recruitment class, and the coach truly enjoyed the whole on-boarding process, even as the pandemic made student-athlete life difficult. GCU did support on-campus schooling and a Return to Play that permitted non-contact practices for the rugby team.
“We were pretty lucky to have what we had in the fall, especially being on the West Coast near California, where other schools were, one, not as quick to commit to going back in person or, two, playing sports,” said Mahoney, who also noted that her alma mater’s team, nearby Arizona State, has been idle in 20-21. “GCU did a great job fighting for the kids and was really diligent about pushing forward in that way.
“But the fall’s been tough,” the coach continued. “I’m not going to say everyone was pumped about it, but the girls showed resiliency. They’re grateful to be at school in person and willing to put in the work that they can.”
Mahoney knew 20-21 was going to be a trying year, and she needed to orient her squad for the trials ahead. So she took a unique approach and started the fall with required reading: James Kerr’s Legacy, which delves into the success and ethos of the New Zealand All Blacks.
“We went through that book together and built our values as a team. That kind of set the standard for the year,” Mahoney said.
The players gravitated toward the virtues of humility, respect and resiliency, and that base helped unite the group.
“Their ultimate goal is to become a sisterhood, which is really cool to see,” Mahoney said.
But it’s the seniors who are putting in truly selfless work. Instead of celebrating four years of collegiate rugby this spring, they’re dedicating themselves to a season they’ll never see.
“My seniors … ,” the coach sighed. “This is a tough year for them. They’re not getting a full conference year and all of the work we’re doing now is building toward a future season. It’s a labor of love for the seniors, and they’re serving these girls – the freshmen especially – with so much love and patience.”
The coach singled out two-year captain Amberae Falemalu, who has been especially committed and garners so much respect from the staff and players. Senior Reina Walker, too, has been resolute in her dedication to the team. They’re mentoring a large freshman class, which is bringing energy and enthusiasm to the program.
“Danielle Sileo has played with Atlantis and EIRA,” Mahoney picked a freshman standout. “She is the hardest worker I’ve met in my entire life. She brings up everyone around her to reach that level in every training session.”
Mahoney called out Amaya De La Cruz and Michelle Marshall as well, and they represent a diversity of rugby backgrounds in the squad. Still, much of the team is rooted in SoCal, and incoming freshmen like Jersey Lauti and Lauren Lopes continue that trend. But the Class of 2025 also includes Idaho’s Kloe Williams, and Colorado’s Ivy Frank and Maleah Stewart, and Mahoney is looking to further expand GCU’s reach.
“It’s natural that girls from the West Coast come here – it’s close to home, it’s warm,” Mahoney said. “I’m starting to look into the East Coast, although it is a different style of rugby, and gain more influence there. I’ve started coaching EIRA’s high school girls, and that’s been helpful in getting some sights on those girls.”
Mahoney helped coach an EIRA camp in North Carolina in November and was local to the 2020 winter camp that occurred in Casa Grande, Ariz. On April 23-25, she will join Queens University of Charlotte assistant coach Dana Meschisi for another open-invite camp in Casa Grande. [More info at eirarugby.org]
Those coaching assignments will occur when GCU’s school year has essentially ended. Classes will end in April, leaving the rugby team the month of March to play games. Scheduling is obviously difficult, not only because the Lopes have to find opponents who are abiding by the same Covid-19 protocols, but also the reintroduction of contact has delayed opening day. The team was in phases 1 and 2 during the fall, which allowed for playing touch at training. Full-contact practice started two weeks ago.
“The level of excitement is definitely up now. Everyone was itching to get back into full contact, so that’s been fun,” Mahoney said. “But we had an ACL injury last week, and as a coach, I’m wondering: Is that from not having contact for a year and jumping back into it? We’re trying to find the safest way possible [back onto the pitch] – which is why we had to cancel our game against BYU [in February]. We wouldn’t have been ready. Our first game is in less than a month, which will be tough and physical, but a lot to play for.”
Central Washington University is traveling to Phoenix for the March 6 fixture, and they’ll be coming off a Feb. 27 match against fellow DIA member BYU. The DIA is the only women’s college competition that is contesting a complete spring 15s season – barring any Covid-19 complications. For GCU, the CWU game will be a first look at what’s awaiting at the DIA level. The Lopes will then play the University of Arizona on March 13 and 20, and ideally end the month with a 7s round robin against any local teams that can play safely.
“It’s been a tough and challenging year,” Mahoney closed. “Every morning I wake up: It’s Groundhog’s Day, I swear! I’m dealing with the same problems every day. But at least we’re pushing forward. And these girls encourage me every day. They’re gritty and young and I’m excited to see what they’ll do in the next two years. We can go some cool places and I’m honored to be a part of it all.”