Now, Spell S-T-A-N-F-O-R-D

Sylvan Lake Park, Sanford, Florida
Sunday, April 22, 2007

In a skillful display of offensive power and defensive strength the #7 seeded Middlebury College Rugby Club roughed up the #6 seed Salisbury University Gulls 59-14 today in Pool B semifinal action of the 2007 National Division II Men’s Collegiate National Rugby Championships.

The squad is determined to not let this season end prematurely. With a depth of talent and strong team chemistry, the players know they belong on the national stage. However, none of them have been there before. The 2002 and 2003 MCRC teams made back to back trips to Nationals but could not break out of the quarterfinals. This weekend it was different. For the record? The scoring over both days was: MCRC 98 – Opponents 41.

Senior flanker Chas Wirene was ecstatic following the team’s win: “I can’t describe it -we are going to California. This is the perfect culmination of a fun four years of hard work!”

Reserve winger Ed Cahill got some late game time in replacement of senior Jeff Harasimowicz who was sidelined with a minor hamstring injury.

The day was not kind to the other Northeast Territory teams. In Pool A men’s action, the defending 2006 National Champion US Coast Guard Academy lost a tightly contested match 25-24 to #5 seed Arkansas State on a penalty kick in the final minute of play. In the Division II women’s matches, Iowa State nipped Norwich, 20-19, and Bowdoin was crushed by UC Santa Cruz, 49-0.

With the win, Middlebury moves on to face #5 seed Arkansas State Tribe for the national title in Stanford, CA May 5.

Can You Spell S-E-M-I-F-I-N-A-L ?

Sylvan Lake Park, Sanford, Florida
Saturday 21, 2007

With the opening whistle of quarterfinal play the Middlebury Panthers rolled their scoring machine right into the den of the University of Northern Colorado Bears and didn’t look back winning their quarterfinal match 39-27.

Middlebury started very strong going up 15-0 in the first fifteen minutes over the stunned #2 seed UNC team. UNC refocused and came back hard. "They (UNC) started to play and for the next 65 minutes Middlebury faced a tough, continued fight," said head coach Ward Patterson minutes after the victory.

"They came at us with amazingly hard running but the team dug deep and played well” said Coach Patterson. Middlebury never trailed in the game. With two minutes to go and Middlebury holding onto a narrow 32-27 lead, sophomore Ari Silverman scored an 'insurance' try. With the two-point conversion made and the clock winding down, Middlebury's celebrating began.

Middlebury advances to tomorrow’s semifinal match at 3:30pm against #3 seed Humboldt State University (CA), 33-19 winners earlier in the day in their match against #6 seed SalisburyUniversity (MD).

All in all it was a great day for Northeast Territory Rugby teams as both the Division II Bowdoin and Norwich women’s teams walked over their opponents and the #1 seed Coast Guard Academy men’s team was victorious in a 17-5 win over #8 seed U of Northern Iowa. All advance to Sunday’s semifinal matches.

It's On ! - Nationals Underway

The #7 seed Middlebury Panthers take on the the #2 seeded Bears of the University of Northern Colorado today in Pool B competition at 3:30pm in the quarterfinal start to the 2007 Men's Divsion II Collegiate Rugby National Championships.

The other Northeast Regional representative, the #1 seed US Coast Guard Academy defends their 2006 National Championship title as they take on the #8 seed University of Northern Iowa RFC.

All games being held at Sylan Lake Park, Florida. Click HERE for a listing of scores from today's events.

FORZA PANTERA !

Logo Wear Still Available !

Coach Patterson has been counting the remaining MCRC clothing items still on hand and thought that some of you parents might want to get "dressed up" with logo wear while in Florida. A few choice items remain in stock.

Clothing Still Available:

• JACKETS: $ 75 One large and Two Extra-Large - These have the MCRC logo on the front and MIDDLEBURY RUGBY on the back.
• Suits: (Jackets, pants and body armor shirt $ 125. Two Medium, Four Extra Large.
• Golf (polo style) Shirts with MCRC Panther Logo on the chest: $ 25 One Large and Two Extra Large.

If anyone wants Coach Ward to bring an item to Orlando, please email him ASAP at his campus address: wpatters@middlebury.edu

Final Spring Match Before Nationals

Google Map

Get over to University of Albany (New York) uptown campus tomorrow, April 14, to see the MCRC for the last time before they travel to Florida for their April 21 quarterfinal match in the 2007 Nationals tournament. MCRC will face the 2006 division II New York State Rugby Conference champion, UAlbany Danes.

The Danes narrowly missed making the final four in the 2006 Northeast Rugby Union territorial finals last November in Batavia, New York. They lost a close quarterfinal match (16-18) against the University of Maine/Orono, the eventual third place finishers behind Middlebury and the Coast Guard Academy.

Directions to SUNY Albany from I-90 East:

Click here for a campus map.

• In Albany, get off I-90 at exit 2.


• Loop under the interstate on Fuller Rd.


• Turn LEFT on Washington, and RIGHT on to University Dr.


• Loop anti-clockwise until nearly to south side of loop.

'A' side match will begin at 1:00pm and will be held on the pitch next to the softball field.

Tailgate Festivus will commence around…. 11:30 perhaps? Look for us. Bring some chow.

FORZA PANTERA !

Panthers v. Lord Jeffs

The Saturday, April 7 match against the Lord Jeffs of Amherst is being held at the college's football stadium. Game time is 1:00pm

The stadium is on Orchard St., off Northampton St. (Route 9/116) in center of Amherst. North is more or less the top of the photo.

Attention: Driver Needed - RIGHT Now

April 2; FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

To all Friends of Rugby heading down to Nationals in Florida: Coach Ward is looking for a driver for one of the vans while the team is in Florida. The catch is you have to be at least 25 years old. OK, that pretty much covers the majority Friends of MCRC that will be in Florida in nineteen days...

Ideally, Ward needs a driver on April 19th through the 23rd. Three vans are used to transport all 32 people associated with the team on a several-times-a-day basis to food venues, the hotel, the practice fields, etc. Two drivers have been secured; one is needed.

Heck, if I were going down, I would have already volunteered and there'd be no reason for this post, but.... nope, can't go. (Here is the request/warning to my sidelines eyes and ears peoples: please plan to have your cell phones turned on game day so I can receive progress reports on the action.)

FOR NOW, please contact Coach Ward at his campus email address: wardpatters@middlebury.edu and make his day.

That is all. Post on Yale match last weekend is upcoming...