The social media post kind of says it all for Cal State Long Beach—first conference game in two years.

The 49ers face off with Arizona State this weekend after a long layout. Oh, they've been playing rugby, facing off with UC Davis and Saint Mary's, and even winning the conference 7s tournament in the fall, but this is different. 

Dealing with COVID shutdowns even into January, the 49ers finally got back on the practice field and ready to play a conference game. They added longtime Belmont Shore and former Eagle Peter SIo as their 7s coach, and he led them through a solid showing in the West Coast 7s and then a conference championship in the shorter game. In winning the Gold Coast 7s, Long Beach averaged 40 points per game.

"It certainly made us feel good," said 15s Head Coach Jason Reynolds. "It kind of showed we had been doing some things right. The one thing we focused on during the pandemic was their mental health in isolation."

And that paid off. One CSULB rugby alumnus runs a cross fit gym and brought the team in to work there. The players embraced it.

"We've never had a team this fit," said Reynolds. "We might have been delayed in our rugby but we were still way ahead in our fitness. And it was the whole team, not just the starters."

That's a good thing because you never know who won't be able to play. The 49ers have ony four seniors, and the sophomores haven't really played for the team yet, so this is a young team that will need everyone to pitch in.

"Playing teams such as Cal Poly and Saint Mary's was really good for us because the brand of rugby they play, it was very fast," said Reynolds. "Their physicality and speed are something we hadn't seen. The guys were excited to challenge themselves, and we learned a lot."

There are several young players to keep on eye on with Long Beach State. Peter Sio the younger is the elder Sio's nephew and was a standout at Wilson HS and Belmont Shore U19s. He is still quite young, but a smart halfback who sees the field exceptionally well. Fullback Atticus Mikles is getting look on a US development level. Vic Gomez is a true freshman at flyhalf who has an excellent rugby IQ; Jojo Nunez is a tough, powerful runner in the midfield. Thomas Toral is as quick as a wing but, not yet 20, is in at prop partly because he can deadlift 500 lbs. Gibson Channel is a smart player holding the pieces of the team together, and Jacob Cortinez and Callum Lapper bring experience and talent to the mix.

"We have added some kids who are really good," said Reynolds. "We've been to the Final Four the last two years. Now we just want to get that next step. We went into this year thinking it would be a rebuilding year ... but we're good."