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St. Bonaventure University


Women's Rugby


St. Bonaventure women’s rugby began play from 1978 until 1982. The team was reestablished 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 ɬ 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.
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 ɬ 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
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
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.
Olivia Reeves
Olivia Reeves, Class of '27
Boston, New York

Birthday: June 10
High School rugby: Hamburg Rugby Club
Major: Health Science
Minor: Biology
Accomplishments: 2023 CRC National Champion, Dean's list
What are you most excited for?: Making memories with my teammates!
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
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!