The Oregon Club Sports men’s rugby team travels to the Bay Area this weekend to seek revenge.
Last October, Sacramento State defeated the Ducks, 34-20, which left the team with unfinished business.
“We are in a position to give these guys some payback,” head coach Bob Snyder said.
When the Ducks were defeated during the fall, they lost some key players to injuries. Now, they’ve gained good experience from younger players who have stepped up.
Heading into the fall, Sacramento State was ranked 16th, while Oregon was right behind at 18th. The Ducks have a record of 3-4 in the winter season, and have something to prove in this weekend’s game.
When Oregon lost to Sacramento State, which was the 1999-2000 Second Division National Champion, it came down to the final minutes. According to club coordinator Will Middleton, the team couldn’t keep ball possession and couldn’t get its offensive arsenal to execute.
“This will be a close game, but we will pull it out,” Snyder said.

Aikido Club holds seminar
The annual Oregon Aikido Club Winter Gassuku is happening this weekend at the Student Recreation Center.
The guest instructor this year is Tom Read Sensei from Northcoast Aikido in Arcata, Calif. One of his specialties is Aikibojitsu and he will be giving thorough demonstrations on all aspects of the sport of aikido. Everyone is invited to watch and participate.
“Students will learn about the basis and philosophy of Aikido and see some free-flow and energetic techniques,” said Sasha Tavenner, Aikido Club coordinator.
Aikido is one of the only clubs that doesn’t participate in competitions, but rather holds seminars. At such events, students are supervised on tests of their ability levels, from beginner to most advanced.
“The tests involve a lot of attacking with give and take and is pretty interesting to watch,” Tavenner said.

Hockey returns home
The Oregon Club Sports hockey team faces off against Southern California this weekend on its home ice.
After the letdown in Los Angeles earlier this season, the Ducks are ready to get their revenge.
“There is not one team out there I want to beat more badly than USC,” Oregon team captain Tyler Shaffar said.
While the Trojans have more depth than Oregon, the Ducks will play up their strengths of speed and intensity.
“They have players who can score any time,” Shaffar said. “But what we lack in talent, we can make up in speed and intensity. Hockey is one sport that lets you do that.”
A team meeting Tuesday evening refocused and regrouped the Ducks, goalie Josh Hardin said.
“We’re trying a different formula,” Hardin said. “[Last] Friday’s game [against Weber State] showed us we can play with the No. 1 team. We know we can play with the best in the league. We have to beat USC.”
With a fierce will to beat the Trojans in front of a home crowd, the Ducks are hoping for a large turnout to cheer them on.
Both Friday and Saturday’s games will be played at the Lane County Ice Arena at 7:30 p.m.