By Mike Specht
Staff Writer
After a regular season of wins and close losses, the men’s rugby team can make history tomorrow when they host Rutgers University (2-7) at 2 p.m. on McGraw-Jennings Field.
If the Bonnies (6-2-1) defeat the Scarlet Knights and score at least four tries, the team would automatically qualify for the DI-AA USA Rugby National Championship for the first time in program history.
Since the Bonnies stepped up to the Division I level in 2009, the farthest the team has reached was the Northeastern Quarterfinals in ‘09. With a win and four tries Saturday, they enter a tournament featuring 16 of the nation’s top Division I rugby programs.
With so much on the line, the team stresses the importance of maintaining a collected, confident mentality.
“It’s important for the guys to get in the mindset that this is the most important game of the year,” captain Alex Brussard said.
According to the Empire Rugby Conference standings and statistics, Rutgers has had issues stopping opponents score. This season, they’ve been outscored 54 tries to 20.
However, Coach Clarence Picard has preached toughness and consistency to the team this week.
We’re going to prepare as hard as we do for anyone,” Picard said. “When the conditions get sloppy and when a young team gets overconfident, upsets can happen. When it comes to match day, we’re not going to stress them out, we just need to stick to the game plan.”
The Bonnies gained significant momentum and a boost in morale following a 57-5 blowout over Iona College last Saturday. Their efforts in solid tackling, a decent kicking game, and a lack of penalties attributed to the victory.
Sophomore John Sullivan began the scoring for the Bonnies with a long run down the sideline, culminating in a try. Junior Ryan Brennan later added to the score with a run of his own.
After an Iona player misjudged a Bonnies’ kick, freshman Chuck Meagher sprinted towards the try zone and the ball took a favorable bounce right into his hands for the score. Senior Kevin McCorry added another try before halftime for the Bonnies.
In the second half, captain Alex Brussard anticipated a throw, and intercepted the pass. The 235-pound prop hustled more than half the length of the pitch, burning past various Iona defenders all the way to the try zone.
“I knew the whole time that I could pick the ball,” Brussard said. “When I caught it, I just put the jets on, ran as fast as I could. When I finally scored, it was a great moment of joy. It was my longest run in all my years of rugby.”
Meagher added two more tries, and Sullivan also scored another in the second half. Freshman Brendan Allman finished the scoring with a try near the end of regulation. McCorry was four of seven on conversion attempts, while Sophomore Shea Raff was two for two.
Even with last week’s performance, Brussard stressed the importance of the team mentally preparing themselves for a game with postseason ramifications.
“At this point of the season, we’re prepared; we just need to follow the game plan,” Brussard said.
