SBU won the 2023 national title in Houston.

St. Bonaventure University


Women's Rugby


St. Bonaventure women’s rugby was established in 1998 and has grown into one of the premier clubs in the Northeast with success nationally in both 15s and 7s.


  • 2025-2026 Bonnies

    2025 women's rugby team and coaches
    Amanda Albert
    Amanda Albert, Class of '26
    Long Island, New York

    Birthday: August 31
    Major: Health Science (Biomedical)
    Minors: Biology, Theology, Honors Program
    Accomplishments: Dean’s List every semester; researched Pacific health in New Zealand; president of SBU chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    What are you most excited for?:
     Learning a new sport and being a part of an amazing team and community! 
    Fabi Ballestero
    Fabiana Ballestero, Class of '27
    Alexandria, Virginia

    Birthday: July 6
    Major: Biology
    Minors: Spanish & Women's Studies
    Accomplishments: Fall 2023 Dean's list
    Favorite thing about playing college rugby:
     Meeting new people and learning a new sport.
    Gigi Blumberg
    Gigi Blumberg, Class of '28
    Buffalo, New York

    Birthday: February 12
    Major: Broadcast Journalism 
    Accomplishments: Being awesome
    What are you most excited for?:
     Team bonding and getting to know new teammates
    Chaela Brondou
    Chaela Brondou, Class of '29
    Buffalo, New York

    Birthday: March 17
    Major: Environmental Studies
    Minor: Pre-law
    High School rugby: Orchard Park Rugby Club
    Accomplishments:
    Rookie of the Year 
    What are you most excited for?:
     Becoming a part of a team with all new faces 
    Taylor Cohen
    Taylor Cohen, Class of '28
    Oakland, California
    Birthday: November 3
    Major: Sports Management
    High School rugby: Bishop O'Dowd and Wolverines Rugby Club
    Accomplishments: Captained my high school team for three years and won 2024 Nationals with Wolverines.
    What are you most excited for?:
     To play at a higher level and to connect with my teammates and make lifelong friends.
    Katie Crawford
    Katie Crawford, Class of '28
    Allegany, New York

    Birthday: August 9
    Major: Health Science
    Accomplishments: Dean's list; lead coordinator SBU Warming House; building homes with Bona Responds
    What are you most excited for?:
     Traveling with the team and visiting as many Olive Gardens as possible 
    Gia Ditto
    Giavanna Ditto, Class of '28
    Buffalo, New York

    Birthday: December 1
    Major: Criminology
    High School rugby: Orchard Park Rugby Club
    Accomplishments: Played for Thunderbirds rugby; 15s and 7s state champs; Tropical 7s 2nd place (2024)
    What are you most excited for?:
     To meet new friends and accomplish more in rugby 
    Gia Fanutti
    Gia Fanutti, Class of '29
    Buffalo, New York

    Birthday: September 8
    Major: Adolescence Education (History)
    High School rugby: Orchard Park Rugby Club
    Accomplishments: 2022 DII national champion; 15s state champion (2022 and 2024); 7s state champion (2024); 15s state runnerup (2023, 2025)
    What are you most excited for?:
     Excited to make new friends and compete at a higher level
    Aero Geise
    Aero Geise, Class of '28
    West Seneca, New York

    Birthday: August 31
    Major: English and Adolescence Education
    High School rugby: Orchard Park Rugby
    Accomplishments:
    Avoca Central valedictorian (2021), Dean's list for six semesters
    What are you most excited for?:
     Joining another rugby team because I love the rugby culture and the bonds that are made from playing 
    Taryn Gonzales
    Taryn Gonzales, Class of '28
    Middletown, New Jersey

    Birthday: March 17
    Major: English
    High School rugby: Morris Rugby
    Accomplishments: 
    President of Government, Law, and Public Policy Pathway; Communications and Public Relations Officer for Tri-M Music Honors Society
    What are you most excited for?:
     Bonding with the team and playing good rugby!
    Izzy Knutson
    Izzy Knutson, Class of '29
    Liverpool, New York

    Birthday: November 14
    Major: Strategic Communication
    High School rugby: Syracuse Silver Hawks
    Accomplishments: 
    2023 NY all-state team; HS captain as sophomore and junior; 2023 Allegheny Rugby Union U19 select side (Buckeye Invitational); coached youth rugby 2022-2024 
    What are you most excited for?:
     To be on a team with so many people who share my passion for rugby 
    Natalie Lamar
    Natalie Lamar, Class of '27
    Sodus, New York

    Birthday: June 3
    Major: Physical Education
    Accomplishments: 2023 CRC National Champion, 2024 All-American, 2024 All-Star 7s
    Favorite thing about playing college rugby: The people I get to meet and the traveling I have done with my team.
    Jaden Lockhart
    Jaden Lockhart, Class of '29
    Fairport, New York

    Birthday: November 4
    Major: Criminology
    Minor: Psychology
    High School rugby: Fairport Rugby Club
    Accomplishments: Having the most tries for my team and making captain
    What are you most excited for?: To play for a new team and get to know everyone
    Tamara Lockhart
    Tamara Lockhart, Class of '29
    Fairport, New York

    Birthday: November 4
    Major: Business Administration
    Minor: Criminology
    High School rugby: Fairport Rugby Club
    What are you most excited for?: To make new friends
    Elizabeth Lyons
    Elizabeth Lyons, Class of '27
    North Tonawanda, New York

    Birthday: November 1
    Major: Health Science (Biomedical) 
    Accomplishments: 
    Dean's list
    What are you most excited for?:
     Feeling like part of a community and family.
    Ahi Ma’ake
    Ahi Ma'ake, Class of '29
    Concord, California

    Birthday: April 2
    Major: Criminology
    High School rugby: San Mateo Wolverines
    Accomplishments: 
    Graduating high school; making it to nationals and playing for seven years
    What are you most excited for?: Meeting new people and learning new strategies for the game
    Kelly McFarland
    Kelly McFarland, Class of '29
    Needham, Massachusetts

    Birthday: September 20
    Major: Economics
    High School rugby: Needham Rockets
    What are you most excited for?: Getting to know my teammates
    Madison Moeller
    Madison Moeller, Class of '28
    West Seneca, New York

    Birthday: March 15
    Majors: Sports Management
    High School rugby:
    Orchard Park Rugby
    Accomplishments:
    All-state team 9th, 10th, 11th grade; won Forward of the Year, Hammer Award and MVP during high school career.
    What are you most excited for?:
     Making friends and seeing the best version of myself.
    Kyla Nentarz
    Kyla Nentarz, Class of '26
    Buffalo, New York

    Birthday: August 12
    Major: Finance
    Accomplishments: 2023 CRC National Champion, 2023 rookie of the year, 2023 UNYCRC Qualifier MVP, 2023 & 2024 all-star
    Favorite thing about playing college rugby: Playing with such a tight-knit team and community. I love being able to play a new and different sport unlike anything I have experienced before.
    Morgan O’Brien
    Morgan O'Brien, Class of '28
    Seneca Falls, New York

    Birthday: January 31
    Major: Marketing
    What are you most excited for?: Learning more about the sport and trying new positions
    Molly O’Connor
    Molly O'Connor, Class of '26
    Buffalo, New York

    Birthday: May 8
    Major: Communication, Social Justice and Advocacy
    College Rugby: SUNY-Cortland
    Accomplishments:
     Heart and Soul of the Game Award at 2023 Nationals, 2023 Nationals team MVP
    Favorite thing about playing college rugby: The experiences the sport has brought me and the welcoming atmosphere of the rugby community!
    Katie Paterson
    Katie Paterson, Class of '27
    Amherst, New York

    Birthday: June 14
    High School rugby: Kenmore Rugby
    Majors: International Studies and Political Science
    Accomplishments: 2023 CRC National Champion, 2023-2024 Women’s Scholar Athlete of the Year
    Favorite thing about playing college rugby: The community that this team has fostered is something I’m so happy to be a part of. Great people, great rugby.
    Mia Popp
    Mia Popp, Class of '27
    Orchard Park, New York

    Birthday: July 18
    High School rugby: Orchard Park Rugby
    Major: Physical Education
    Accomplishments: 2023 CRC National Champion, ARU U19 Select, D-2 National Championship, two state high school championships
    What are you most excited for?: Getting to play tough competition and the people you get to meet.
    Jillian ReaA
    Jillian Rea, Class of '26
    Seneca Allegany Reservation, New York

    Birthday: May 30
    Major: Accounting
    Minor: Native American and Indigenous Studies
    Accomplishments: 2023 CRC National Champion, Dean's list Spring 2023 & Spring 2024
    Favorite thing about playing college rugby: Having a team full of best friends.
    Kaegan Rhodes
    Kaegan Rhodes, Class of '29
    Corning, New York

    Birthday: March 22
    Major: Criminology 
    High School rugby: Corning Lions
    Accomplishments: Leading team as captain to 1st place at states; selected as the Elite Girls Rugby League second team; NYS player of the year
    What are you most excited for?: Playing with my new team and creating new bonds
    Lynette Rivera
    Lynette Rivera, Class of '27
    New York City

    Birthday: May 5
    High School rugby: PlayRugby USA
    Major: Psychology 
    Accomplishments: 2023 CRC National Champion, Winning Go Forward Award and Spirit Award for rugby
    What are you most excited for?: The bond you get to create with your teammates on and off the field.
     

     
    Rory Senft
    Rory Senft, Class of '29
    West Seneca, New York

    Birthday: September 7
    Major: Political Science
    High School rugby: Orchard Park Rugby Club
    Accomplishments:
     Won NYS high school championship in 2024; Unsung Hero Award. 
    What are you most excited for?: Having a family on and off the field that I can lean on when I need.

     
    Triniti Shaffer
    Triniti Shaffer, Class of '29
    Murfreesboro, Tennessee

    Birthday: January 13
    Major: Criminology
    High School rugby: Riverdale High
    Accomplishments:
     VP of FFA program; district winner at agriscience fair; selected for Rebels, Panthers USA South, and Rebellion for travel rugby; 3-year team captain
    What are you most excited for?: New challenges and learning new skills and techniques
     
    Alexandria Sutandar
    Alexandria Sutandar, Class of '28
    Phoenix, Arizona

    Birthday: June 20
    Major: Business
    High School rugby: Arizona Bobcats Rugby Academy 
    Accomplishments:
     Phoenix Union Academic Excellence Awards, 2x MVP, California Best Back Award
    What are you most excited for?: Making lifelong friends and paving the way for future athletes!
    Lexi Thompson
    Lexi Thompson, Class of '29
    Brampton, Ontario

    Birthday: March 12
    Major: Criminology
    High School rugby: Caledon Cavaliers Rugby
    Accomplishments:
     Winning Tier 2 ROPSSAA
    What are you most excited for?: Playing at the Division 1 level and living in the USA
    Jaylei Wagstaff
    Jaylei Wagstaff, Class of '25
    Buffalo, New York

    Birthday: November 9
    High School rugby: City Honors Rugby
    Major: Health Science
    Accomplishments: 2023 CRC National Champion, 2x Forward of the year, 2024 All-American
    Favorite thing about playing college rugby:
     The community. You get to meet so many people and make friends just from being around the environment.
    Jules Wilson
    Jules Wilson, Class of '28
    Hamburg, New York

    Birthday: June 7
    Major: Finance
    High School rugby: Hamburg
    What are you most excited for?:
     For the community of the team!