The Rock vs. The Hard Place
Middlebury 2006 NERFU Champs
Jimmy Manyuru ’07 Takes Down CGA Runner – Trey Stewart Supports
Harasimowicz Photo
“Nice way to end the weekend,” says Mike McKenna
The Middlebury College Rugby Club, competing against league rival US Coast Guard Academy scored first and never trailed in their New England Rugby Football Union championship match held Sunday, October 29 at Middlebury.
The defending 2005 New England RFU champions MCRC knew at the beginning of the season that they would have to go through USCGA to repeat as New England champs in ’06. As the fans have come to expect, the Panthers stepped up their game against the conditioned, disciplined CGA squad under typical post season conditions.
Losambe '07 Returns to Action Harasimowicz Photo
On a rain-soaked, greasy pitch described by Coach Patterson as “muddy to the point of silly” the MCRC held the 2006 Division II National Champion CGA to a 8-8 tie for more than 20 minutes of second-half play. In the 78th minute the go-ahead try was scored by senior Pat Mott on an assist by Max Levine ’09. Though the two-point conversion kick failed MCRC had momentum and the clock in their favor and won the match 13-8.
Mott '07 Scores Winning Try On Last Dry Ground
Harasimowicz Photo
The fans were treated to a superb game under challenging conditions. With first half winds howling, intermittent rain and a 39 degree temperature Middlebury came out blazing. “We attacked with the wind at our backs and earned an early try to go up 5 -0,” said Coach Patterson. The try was unconverted. Middlebury scored again in the first on a 3 point penalty kick from former Midd soccer player turned rugger Ari Silverman ’09. Middlebury held an 8-0 advantage. CGA regrouped and scored late in the first period and trailed at the half, 8-5.
A newcomer to the Friends of Rugby, Middlebury’s Mike McKenna (the College's VP of Communications and) is faculty advisor to the team, and a long-time rugby supporter and former player. He offered insight to the weekend tournament that began on Saturday with semi-final play. “The field conditions were a key reason both finalists made it through to the championship game over heavier, SUV-sized sides from UVM and Maine [Orono], who could not get the tire traction or match the fitness of their opponents wading through the paddock,” said McKenna.
He concluded, “The Coasties were a great side…quick, resolute… but in the end they couldn't equal the cohesion and pace of Middlebury.”
Luke Yoquinto Startes Long Run Harasimowicz Photo
In the second half play see-sawed and CGA kicked effectively with the wind keeping Middlebury backed up. Parent Ike Levine describes it: “Second half into the wind, and Coast Guard’s only weapon was to punt deep. Fortunately for us, the ball would die in the muck… we would advance, advance, advance and then they would kick us back.”
In the 59th minute Trey Stewart received his second yellow card from repeated infractions and was ejected from the game forcing Middlebury to play short-handed. Coast Guard quickly scored on a penalty kick to tie the match. Home-field advantage became a factor. “The crowd intensity lifted which in turn lifted [Middlebury] to a level in which only deep down character in each player could provide,” said Levine. The Coasties couldn’t capitalize though and had limited success moving the ball after that. “Every time the coast guard backs touched the ball they went backwards to [Midd’s] inspired back play defense. We pushed them back and back and back and with only minutes to go, Max Levine took a ball out of ruck short side …faked a pass and drew the defense to him and then laid off a pass [to Pat Mott] for the winning score,” said Ike. The conditions hampered the backs from both squads but there was “determined play and only a minimum of knockons by Middlebury. Forwards were magnificant in both the loose and tight play,” said Levine.
Alex White and the Color of Mud Harasimowicz Photo
The fans saw a limited return of the brilliant runner Pascal Losambe ‘07, who has been out for much of the season due to MCL injury. The rugged play took its toll on key personnel. Senior Jeff Harasimowicz, ready after two previous years of having to watch this championship match from the sidelines (broken nose in ’04, hamstring tear ’05) played his characteristically inspired hard ball in the first half of the match. But he suffered a nasty knee-blow to the head and was out with a concussion for the second half. Though disappointed, and mending well he will be out of action for Northeast quarterfinals match this weekend. He looks to return soon after. Muchadei Zvoma was hobbled by a rolled an ankle in the match as well.
The Faces of Champions Harasimowicz Photo
The fans of DII rugby have come to anticipate that the MCRC/CGA divisional rivalry signals the march toward the National tournament in May. For the last five years these two teams have traded NERFU championships and always returned to face each other in the Northeast Union competition that follows the NERFU regional play. They are arguably the two most consistently coached and matched up teams as can be found in College rugby. Their matches are tactical struggles that test the nerves of all involved -and what else would you want? Comfortable wins? Blow-out scoring? Nahhh. Bring on the post-season and more Coast Guards. Well done MCRC and good luck in the next CGA match-up. I trust it won't too long.
Man of the Match voting: “I would give man of the match to the whole team. You don't beat a tough opponent on a challenging field in horrible weather without all of the first 15 plus needed reserves contributing," said Mike McKenna.
DII New England Rugby Football Union Champs!
Harasimowicz Photo
Can I get a AMEN?
Next Up: The Northeast Rugby Union territorial championships begin November 4 at 1:00pm at Middlebury with Quarterfinal action and conclude on November 11-12 in Batavia, New York at Genessee Community College.
With their win today, Middlebury has become the NRU #1 seed and will host the #8 seed University of Vermont at Middlebury. Game time is 1:00pm. Despite two wins thus far over UVM, MCRC has a lot of respect for this considerable opponent. Matt Volz ’07 notes, “They're a good group of guys, and they play hard. So, we're all expecting a hard-fought game.”
Jimmy Manyuru ’07 Takes Down CGA Runner – Trey Stewart Supports
Harasimowicz Photo
“Nice way to end the weekend,” says Mike McKenna
The Middlebury College Rugby Club, competing against league rival US Coast Guard Academy scored first and never trailed in their New England Rugby Football Union championship match held Sunday, October 29 at Middlebury.
The defending 2005 New England RFU champions MCRC knew at the beginning of the season that they would have to go through USCGA to repeat as New England champs in ’06. As the fans have come to expect, the Panthers stepped up their game against the conditioned, disciplined CGA squad under typical post season conditions.
Losambe '07 Returns to Action Harasimowicz Photo
On a rain-soaked, greasy pitch described by Coach Patterson as “muddy to the point of silly” the MCRC held the 2006 Division II National Champion CGA to a 8-8 tie for more than 20 minutes of second-half play. In the 78th minute the go-ahead try was scored by senior Pat Mott on an assist by Max Levine ’09. Though the two-point conversion kick failed MCRC had momentum and the clock in their favor and won the match 13-8.
Mott '07 Scores Winning Try On Last Dry Ground
Harasimowicz Photo
The fans were treated to a superb game under challenging conditions. With first half winds howling, intermittent rain and a 39 degree temperature Middlebury came out blazing. “We attacked with the wind at our backs and earned an early try to go up 5 -0,” said Coach Patterson. The try was unconverted. Middlebury scored again in the first on a 3 point penalty kick from former Midd soccer player turned rugger Ari Silverman ’09. Middlebury held an 8-0 advantage. CGA regrouped and scored late in the first period and trailed at the half, 8-5.
A newcomer to the Friends of Rugby, Middlebury’s Mike McKenna (the College's VP of Communications and) is faculty advisor to the team, and a long-time rugby supporter and former player. He offered insight to the weekend tournament that began on Saturday with semi-final play. “The field conditions were a key reason both finalists made it through to the championship game over heavier, SUV-sized sides from UVM and Maine [Orono], who could not get the tire traction or match the fitness of their opponents wading through the paddock,” said McKenna.
He concluded, “The Coasties were a great side…quick, resolute… but in the end they couldn't equal the cohesion and pace of Middlebury.”
Luke Yoquinto Startes Long Run Harasimowicz Photo
In the second half play see-sawed and CGA kicked effectively with the wind keeping Middlebury backed up. Parent Ike Levine describes it: “Second half into the wind, and Coast Guard’s only weapon was to punt deep. Fortunately for us, the ball would die in the muck… we would advance, advance, advance and then they would kick us back.”
In the 59th minute Trey Stewart received his second yellow card from repeated infractions and was ejected from the game forcing Middlebury to play short-handed. Coast Guard quickly scored on a penalty kick to tie the match. Home-field advantage became a factor. “The crowd intensity lifted which in turn lifted [Middlebury] to a level in which only deep down character in each player could provide,” said Levine. The Coasties couldn’t capitalize though and had limited success moving the ball after that. “Every time the coast guard backs touched the ball they went backwards to [Midd’s] inspired back play defense. We pushed them back and back and back and with only minutes to go, Max Levine took a ball out of ruck short side …faked a pass and drew the defense to him and then laid off a pass [to Pat Mott] for the winning score,” said Ike. The conditions hampered the backs from both squads but there was “determined play and only a minimum of knockons by Middlebury. Forwards were magnificant in both the loose and tight play,” said Levine.
Alex White and the Color of Mud Harasimowicz Photo
The fans saw a limited return of the brilliant runner Pascal Losambe ‘07, who has been out for much of the season due to MCL injury. The rugged play took its toll on key personnel. Senior Jeff Harasimowicz, ready after two previous years of having to watch this championship match from the sidelines (broken nose in ’04, hamstring tear ’05) played his characteristically inspired hard ball in the first half of the match. But he suffered a nasty knee-blow to the head and was out with a concussion for the second half. Though disappointed, and mending well he will be out of action for Northeast quarterfinals match this weekend. He looks to return soon after. Muchadei Zvoma was hobbled by a rolled an ankle in the match as well.
The Faces of Champions Harasimowicz Photo
The fans of DII rugby have come to anticipate that the MCRC/CGA divisional rivalry signals the march toward the National tournament in May. For the last five years these two teams have traded NERFU championships and always returned to face each other in the Northeast Union competition that follows the NERFU regional play. They are arguably the two most consistently coached and matched up teams as can be found in College rugby. Their matches are tactical struggles that test the nerves of all involved -and what else would you want? Comfortable wins? Blow-out scoring? Nahhh. Bring on the post-season and more Coast Guards. Well done MCRC and good luck in the next CGA match-up. I trust it won't too long.
Man of the Match voting: “I would give man of the match to the whole team. You don't beat a tough opponent on a challenging field in horrible weather without all of the first 15 plus needed reserves contributing," said Mike McKenna.
DII New England Rugby Football Union Champs!
Harasimowicz Photo
Can I get a AMEN?
Next Up: The Northeast Rugby Union territorial championships begin November 4 at 1:00pm at Middlebury with Quarterfinal action and conclude on November 11-12 in Batavia, New York at Genessee Community College.
With their win today, Middlebury has become the NRU #1 seed and will host the #8 seed University of Vermont at Middlebury. Game time is 1:00pm. Despite two wins thus far over UVM, MCRC has a lot of respect for this considerable opponent. Matt Volz ’07 notes, “They're a good group of guys, and they play hard. So, we're all expecting a hard-fought game.”
posted by Michael Garner at 2:23 PM
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