MORAGA, Calif. (Video Feature) -- After months of renovation, Saint Mary's Stadium officially re-opened to rave reviews last weekend when the school's men and women's soccer teams hosted three matches on the new field.

More than 100,000 square feet of sod was laid in the stadium by Delta Bluegrass Company in mid-September under the direction of Mercado Landscaping.  A total of 16 trucks delivered 342 rolls of three types of sod: Hybrid Bermudas for the playing surface, a 90/10 Tall Fescue and a Special Shade Blend for the outlying areas adjacent to the field.

Thanks to work completed by Ghilotti Construction Company, existing bleachers at the South end of the field were removed and the field expanded to increase the size of the competition area.  Soccer field dimensions were increased to 75 by 120 yards and landscaped grass berms were installed around two-thirds of the field.

Specific rugby field dimensions will be determined prior to the start of the team's spring season.

"(The field) is cleaner.  It looks good and feels more like a soccer stadium," said SMC men's soccer coach Adam Cooper.  "I love it, love the atmosphere."

"It is gorgeous," said SMC senior women's soccer student-athlete Crystal Shaffie.  "We are so thankful to have it.  They did such a good job.  It is beautiful out here."

"(The field) has never been better," said SMC junior men's goalkeeper Lucas Champenois, who scored the first goal on the new field on a game-winning penalty kick against Pacific.  "It is great to play on it.  The ball rolls perfectly and it makes the game a lot more enjoyable."

In addition to the new grass surface and landscape improvements, the stadium also features a new state-of-the-art Daktronics scoreboard, which displays time, score and various statistical categories throughout the match.  The specific information displayed on the board will be customized for rugby matches during the spring.

The Saint Mary's men's team returns home for its WCC home opener against San Francisco on Friday, October 31 at 3 p.m.  The Gaels also host longtime rival Santa Clara on Sunday, Nov. 2 and conclude their home schedule on Friday, Nov. 7 against Gonzaga.

The SMC women have just two matches remaining on their home schedule, a Thursday, Oct. 30 matchup against BYU and a Saturday, Nov. 1 Senior Day contest against San Diego.

Tickets are available by visiting the tickets link on SMCGaels.com or by calling the SMC Athletic Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx (4689).

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