By Mike Specht
Staff Writer
At the halfway mark of the season, the fate of the men’s rugby team’s postseason rests on its performance against Syracuse University (3-2-0). The team is scheduled to play the Orange Saturday at 1 p.m. on McGraw-Jennings Pitch.
“Syracuse is one of our rivals and they always give us a tough game,” Coach Clarence Picard said. “We’ve been pretty even with them the past few years,”
The Bonnies are not looking past one of their league competitors.
“We are slowly learning that there are no weak teams in this conference,” senior Kevin McCorry said. “Everyone is in this conference because they’re competitive teams. You can’t take anyone lightly”
The Bonnies will have their full first-team roster available for Saturday’s match. Players such as junior prop Tom Tyler and junior wing Ryan Brennan overcame their injuries and will be ready come game time.
The Bonnies (3-1-1) will more than likely have to win their next five games in order to qualify for the USA Rugby National Championship.
“The league champion gets a spot at the Sweet 16; the second place team gets an at large bid.” Picard said. “The league has a lot of upsets this year. We’re taking the attitude that we need to win out every week.”
Last Saturday, the Bonnies traveled to Fordham University, and came away with a 23-17 victory. The team was leading 14-0 at half time, but let up somewhat in the second half.
“We didn’t follow the game plan,” Captain Alex Brussard said. “Our defense hasn’t been as good as we like, that’s what we want to focus on this week. Firing up off the line more, putting more pressure on the other team as opposed to sitting back are some things we need to work on.”
Friday’s match was the first playing time Brussard saw since the match against Buffalo Sept. 7th due to a suspension. He made a difference immediately, scoring the first try of the game.
“It was awesome.,” Brussard said.”I was a little nervous at first, but it was definitely nice to be out on the field again, scoring the first try was a good weight off my shoulders.”
McCorry scored later in the first half, bringing the score to 14-0. Fordham scored 10 points after what McCorry called “defensive and mental breakdowns.” Jon Garbin broke through the defense, scoring his first try of the season. After another Fordham try, the Bonnies held off the Rams long enough for the victory.
With the season half over, Picard attributes specific players’ efforts as foundation for hard work on the squad.
“Tim Hanna and Tallon Moritz are the engine room of the team,” Picard said. “They’re tough and do the little things. Jon Garbin really keeps his nose to the grindstone, as well as Kevin McCorry and Alex Brussard.”
