{"id":928,"date":"2026-01-20T14:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T14:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mustangrugby.org\/?p=928"},"modified":"2026-01-20T14:13:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T14:13:52","slug":"incredibly-important-mustangs-defeat-claremont-as-inaugural-di-season-arrives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mustangrugby.org\/?p=928","title":{"rendered":"‘Incredibly important’: Mustangs defeat Claremont as inaugural DI season arrives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Photo courtesy of Sara Dechance.<\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mustangs defeated Claremont Colleges 26-15 on Saturday, snagging a double-digit win as the program heads into its inaugural year in Division I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mustangs held a narrow 7-5 advantage at the 40-minute mark — and later blew it open in the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud of how the team responded to early adversity and stood up to the pressure Claremont put on us in both attack and defense,\u201d head coach Zach Markow said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos: View images from the A-side<\/a> and B-side<\/a> matches, courtesy of Sara Dechance<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Markow said Claremont played aggressive defense and challenged the Mustangs at the breakdown, putting his team on the back foot for much of the first half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Cap [Paul Cappellano] and I encouraged our players to counter their defense with hard, physical running lines and emphasizing ball security in contact so that we could chain together phases and wear them down,” Markow said. “The ladies took that to heart.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The A-side player of the match was Ellablu Wagner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“She led our team in tackles and was the heartbeat of our defense,” Markow said. “In attack, she brought the physical presence that we needed to wear down Claremont’s aggressive defense. Her line breaks buckled Claremont and set up the rest of her teammates for success.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other players who stood out included Mia Nelson, who handled the kicking duties (3 of 4 on conversions) in lieu of Natali Espindola, who is studying abroad; Liz Goethals, described as an “absolute playmaker with the ball in hand”; and Jordan Kixmiller, a rookie who came off the bench and made key tackles that helped close out the game, Markow said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goethals led the way with two tries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Claremont Foxes entered Division I competition in 2024 after winning two consecutive Division II national championships in 2022 and 2023. Sound familiar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our programs have followed very similar paths,” Markow said. “[…] They have great athletes and a comparable playing style, so this was an excellent test for us and a strong way to launch into our conference schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mustangs play UC Davis on Saturday, Feb. 24 in San Luis Obispo. It will be played on the Lower Sports Complex fields. Kickoff time will be announced on a later date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This weekend was incredibly important to preparing our club,” Markow said. “[…] To be successful this weekend, we will need to tighten up our defense, place the pressure on Davis to force turnovers, and then capitalize anytime we have possession.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Team award winners<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n