By Mike Specht
Staff Writer
The men’s rugby team’s perfect record snapped last Saturday when SUNY Binghamton defeated the Bonnies 25-21. The team rallied late in the game, but couldn’t mount the comeback.
West Point Military Academy meets the Bonnies (1-0-3) on McGraw-Jennings Field at 1 p.m Sunday.
Coach Clarence Picard anticipates a difficult match against West Point.
“You see the name West Point and they’re one of the powers in rugby the past few decades,” Picard said. “We need to have confidence; we need to be the aggressors.”
Army has qualified for every Sweet 16 tournament since 1980 and finished ranked second in the nation three times. The Black Knights are currently tied for first in the Empire Rugby Conference, along with Binghamton and SUNY Brockport.
Junior lock Tallon Moritz stressed mental preparation while the team plans for West Point.
“We need to turn up the intensity (against West Point) and have all fifteen guys playing hard,” Moritz said.
In Saturday’s loss, Moritz also said the Bonnies came up flat at the beginning (of the game) and in the second half.
While keeping the score close at halftime with an 8-7 Binghamton lead, the score grew to 18-7 into the second half. The Bonnies came back, scoring twice more, but it was not enough. Tries were scored by freshmen Pat Hogan, Chuck Meagher and Zack Haller.
Senior Flanker Jon Garbin attributed the loss to a lot of mental mistakes, pointing out that it lead to many team errors.
“We made as many penalties as we could have,” Garbin said. “We didn’t have our heads in the game, and this game is motivation for us to keep working hard.”
Picard said this team tried to play more physical like last year’s team, forcing the play through the middle of the field, which is not their strength this year.
“Binghamton had a great game plan,” said Picard. “Our team is reliant on speed, and may need to be reliant on fitness and skilled play. They (Binghamton) had all the answers.”
Picard was thankful the team didn’t have to deal with any injuries Saturday, especially with senior prop Alex Brussard out and sophomore flanker Evan Meister still unable to play for the Bonnies. Brussard has been out the past two matches, while Meister was injured during last week’s match against Brockport. The team hopes to have these and other injured players available for the match Sunday.
Overall, the team stressed the importance of hard work and conditioning during practice as well as mental preparedness and confidence as they get ready for West Point.
“This is going to be the toughest week of our entire season, preparing for Army,” Garbin said. “Even though these guys have the name West Point, we’re not scared of them. As long as you put the work in, anyone’s beatable.”
