MORAGA, Calif. -- The national champion Saint Mary's rugby team was honored Wednesday night by the Town of Moraga with a proclamation celebrating the Gaels' accomplishments as several members of the 2014 team appeared at the Town Council meeting held at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School.

Mayor Ken Chew presented the Gaels with the proclamation and captain Cooper Maloney accepted the certificate on behalf of the team and coaches. Saint Mary's Assistant Athletic Director for Campus Recreation Rebecca Harper thanked the town for its recognition and the team posed for pictures with members of the council and the mayor. Each player and coach will receive a proclamation on behalf of the Town.

The accolades and congratulations haven't stopped since the Saint Mary's rugby team defeated Life University 21-6 in May to capture the USA Rugby Division I-A National Championship. Multiple players were named All-America, several went on to compete on foreign tours and many are back in Moraga as the Gaels compete in Rugby Sevens.

In fact, this weekend marks the biggest stretch of the fall season with Saint Mary's hosting the second annual Battle in the Bay Rugby Sevens Invitational at the San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club on Treasure Island. The tournament begins Saturday with pool play and continues Sunday. For more information on the event, visit the Saint Mary's Rugby page.