By James Nelson
SMCGaels.com correspondent

MORAGA, Calif. -- After waiting over a year, the Saint Mary's College rugby team will finally get another shot at a national title this weekend when it takes on No. 1-ranked Life University at 7 p.m. in the final of the Emirates National Championship Series at Stanford's Steuber Rugby Stadium.

Saturday's match will stand in stark contrast to last year's game, which was played in monsoon-like conditions that complicated matters for the Gaels. The heavy rain and muddy field bogged down the high-scoring Saint Mary's attack, resulting in the Gaels' lowest point total of the season.

With the game being played on the West Coast this time around, weather shouldn't be an issue as Saint Mary's tries to scale the final mountain in an otherwise standout season.

The Gaels enter Saturday's match undefeated in Division I-A matches this year and own the highest point differential of any team in the nation. In addition to that they are only team in the nation to beat both Varsity Cup Champion BYU and Varsity Cup runner-up Cal.

The Gaels also enter the match on a high note, having dispatched of Lindenwood University 72-7 last weekend in Moraga. The victory was particularly impressive considering that Life has played Lindenwood twice this year, and each time won by only four points.

Life will certainly be no pushover. The Running Eagles are the only undefeated team in all of college rugby and played in the toughest conference in the nation. They dispatched of arch-rival Arkansas State 34-27 in their semifinal match and enter the game poised to give the Gaels one of their biggest challenges of the season.

Tickets to Saturday's match will be available at the gate. Admission is $10. The match will also be streamed live on USARugbyTV.com. Check SMCGaels.com after the match for a full recap and highlights.