St Andrews claims double national titles

The University of St Andrews Women’s Football 1st Team were crowned British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) national champions this week (Wednesday 19 March) after beating the University of Nottingham in the Championship Final at Loughborough.

In a closely fought game, St Andrews took the lead just after half-time with a goal by Player of the Match Olivia Boscaccy (3rd Year, MA Hons Management), who went on to claim her second in the 59th minute to take St Andrews 2-0 ahead. Nottingham reduced the lead to 2-1 with two minutes left on the clock, but the Saints held out to bring the Championship Cup back to St Andrews for the first time.

The result is the culmination of an impressive couple of years for the team, who won the BUCS Premier League at their first attempt in 2023-24 followed by a 3^rd place finish in the league this year. They reached the Championship Final – the pinnacle of women’s university football – after a convincing 7-0 defeat of Essex at home in Round 1, followed by a 2-0 win away to Exeter in the quarterfinals, before travelling to Loughborough University to beat the reigning National Champions and BUCS Premier League winners 1-0 in the semifinals.

The Saints are right back in the action this week playing against Robert Gordon University in the semi-final of Scottish Student Sport #She Can She Will Cup and hoping to round-off an incredible year by claiming their fourth successive victory in this competition.

Women’s 1^st Team Captain Liva Helt said: “I’m beyond proud of every single person on this team. The work, the sacrifices, the ups and downs—we’ve been through it all together. To see all of that come to fruition in such a historic moment is something we’ll never forget.

“With the backing of Saints Sport, we’ve built something incredible, and this victory is a testament to the heart, soul, and passion of everyone on this team and in this programme. This team works so incredibly hard for each other, on and off the pitch, and that’s what’s gotten us to this stage. We’ve made history together, and this victory will forever be a proud part of our team’s legacy.”

Director of Football Stuart Milne said: “Becoming BUCS National Champions is a bit surreal, but one that I am incredibly proud to have been a part of. I cannot speak highly enough about this group. Their personality, determination, commitment, sacrifice, technical, physical and tactical qualities have all given the team the best opportunity to achieve this highest level of success. The Women’s programme has progressed so much through the years from one team in Scottish Tier 2 to now having 3 successful teams, and officially the best team in Britain! Thank you to all the players and staff, past and present, who have played their part in helping us on this incredible journey.”

Earlier in the day, the University of St Andrews Men’s Rugby 1^st Team claimed the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) national trophy, after beating Loughborough 3^rd Team in the Trophy Final.

After a cautious start in the opening exchanges by both sides, St Andrews took the lead through an electric finish by winger James Murray (1^st Year, MSc Energy Policy and Finance), with postgraduate rugby scholar Chris Schreueder (MSc Banking and Finance) making the conversion to take the Saints 7-0 up. Both teams exchanged penalties before the Saints repelled a period of Loughborough pressure to finish the half with another Schreueder penalty, with St Andrews taking a 13-3 lead at half-time.

St Andrews extended their lead after the break with a great piece of link up play followed by a try by centre Angus Mather (4^th Year, BSc (Hons) Geography and Sustainable Development). BUCS Man of the Match Schreueder made the conversion and then shortly after slotted another penalty to take St Andrews 23-3 ahead. The game then saw a turn with Loughborough fighting back to claim a converted try, which they quickly followed with another breakaway try to bring the score back to 23-15 to St Andrews. With 5 minutes to go, St Andrews held off a late attack by Loughborough to secure the win, and bring back the BUCS Trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

Men’s Rugby 1^st Team Captain Fergus Cato said: “The result down in Loughborough was a culmination of all the hard work the squad have displayed over the season, turning up week in week out driving each other to be better. Through each challenge we have faced, the squad has stepped up and taken it in their stride. It has been a privilege to lead this outstanding group and to finish the season with a cup win is a just reward for all the effort put in throughout the year.”

Director of Rugby David Morris said: “I am delighted for the players that their season long commitment, consistency and drive to keep improving has ended with a BUCS Gold medal. The performance in the final showed clarity of thought and leadership under pressure. It was lovely seeing the joy and interactions between players, support staff, and parents at the end of the game. The connections between the players are strong having been through so many shared experiences together.

“I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to the players who did not make the final selection but who have been pivotal in the success of the club this season. Finally, thank you to my colleagues at Saints Sport and our external partners who are brilliant teammates supporting behind the scenes. It was a wonderful day to be a Saint with the Women’s football team being victorious as well.”