Rather than pursue rugby at a Division I university level, Lucy chose to stay close to her hometown of Fallbrook.
“I was totally set on not playing,” Lucy recalled.
Thankfully, that resolve lasted exactly one class period.
In her very first English class at MiraCosta College, Lucy overheard a group of girls at her table talking about playing rugby. Intrigued, she joined the conversation, mentioning that she had played for years. Their immediate response: “You should come to practice.”
“It felt like it was a sign,” she said with a laugh, “because I was totally debating it already.”
Although Lucy had known she needed a break, she still had chosen to attend MiraCosta over Palomar, which was closer to home, because MiraCosta had a rugby team.
That invitation on her first day quickly confirmed she was exactly where she was meant to be, as MiraCosta gave her the space to excel academically and the community that helped reignite the joy Lucy thought she’d lost.
MiraCosta’s women’s rugby team offered something different: a supportive environment where Lucy could thrive.
“Coming to MiraCosta has been so refreshing,” Lucy said. “Everyone cares about each other. We’re here to have fun — and we’re here to work hard — but at the end of the day, there’s less pressure, and it's much more enjoyable for me to play.”
Lucy said that support has extended beyond the rugby field, allowing her to excel academically.
With her sights set on transferring to a top university to study neuroscience, Lucy was able to balance a demanding STEM course load with collegiate athletics and even managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA across three semesters. She credits MiraCosta’s flexible team culture and supportive academic environment for making it possible.
“It wasn’t easy, but I’m so proud of how I’ve done so far,” she said.
For Lucy, MiraCosta has proven to be the right step, where she could not only refocus on academics but also learn to enjoy rugby again.
Building Community — On and Off the Field
Lucy quickly found a home at MiraCosta’s Learning Commons and tutoring centers, where she spends long hours studying.
It was there and in class, surrounded by people with similar academic goals, that Lucy said she found a strong community. She’s also been able to lean on counselors to ensure she’s on track to transfer.
On the field, Lucy found that same sense of belonging among her teammates.
“We have a very talented group of girls,” Lucy said. “We all support each other no matter what… and that, to me, is a great motivator for staying on the team.”
Fundraising efforts — and a major contribution from one teammate’s tribal community — made it possible for the entire MiraCosta team to attend the tournament for free.
At the championship, MiraCosta proved they belonged with a first-round upset.
After being down for most of the game, MiraCosta pulled off a surprise victory and defeated the top-seeded Yale team 12 to 10 in the final moments of the match.
“The referee blew the whistle to end the game right after we scored, and it was really funny, because no one knew if we’d won or not,” Lucy recalled. “When he said that we won, we all just ran — we were cheering so hard. It was the best feeling.”
Later that same day, MiraCosta fell 19-7 to East Stroudsburg University — a team that would go on to finish third overall — but despite the loss, the experience cemented MiraCosta’s place as a rising program in women’s collegiate rugby.
“For most sports, how well your team gets along and having that close bond really does show on the field, and since that tournament, we've been a lot closer,” Lucy said.
Lucy’s rugby journey is far from over. She started the fall semester as president of MiraCosta’s rugby club, helping lead recruitment efforts and shaping the team’s culture for the future.
“I'm hoping that our successes from last season can shine a light on rugby, give us a little bit more exposure, boost recruitment, and we could always use the support of our fellow Spartans,” Lucy said.
Lucy is also preparing to apply to transfer universities, including UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Yale — all schools with club rugby programs that could provide her next competitive chapter.
But Lucy’s journey at MiraCosta has been about more than wins and losses — it’s been about rediscovering joy, forging friendships, and learning to balance athletics and academics.
“Don’t be intimidated to go to community college — it’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” she advised future students. “I’d also say get involved. Do what you can to make friends because you really are going to get out what you put in.”
Lucy’s story is proof of what can happen when students find the right community to support both their passions and their goals. And for MiraCosta women’s rugby, this is only the beginning.