The BGSU rugby team took on Michigan last weekend — not the University but the entire state. The Falcon ruggers won both ends of a doubleheader against the Michigan Collegiate Select Side, an all-star team composed of players from all 10 of Michigan’s rugby-playing colleges. BG won big the first match 50–27 but had to scratch out a 29–27 victory in the second.
Just for good measure, BG also racked up a pair of victories over Ohio State–Marion by scores of 14–12 and 10–0.
“Considering the fact that we really only had three practices outside, I’m fairly pleased with the results,” BG coach Roger Mazzarella said. “Our defensive alignments could use some work though. Matt Johnston, the fullback in the second match, faced a couple too many three on ones.”
The unrelenting Bowling Green wind played a hand in the match results as well.
“If you had the wind at your back, you scored,” BG captain Vince Staropoli said. “When it was in your face, all you (could) do was play defense.”
Judging from the way the first match started out, it looked like BG was on its way to one of its typical eighty million points to nothing weekends. Eight man Fred Ackermann opened the scoring by blocking a Michigan clearing kick and then falling on the loose ball in the end zone. Wing Kevin Mongold quickly followed up that try with one of his own after taking a pin ball-like route through the Michigan defense.
“It’s never really hard to follow Kevin’s path to the end zone,” Mazzarella said. “Just look for the line of bowled-over defenders or people on their knees left grabbing air.”
Center Pete Cromley, scrum half Vince Staropoli and fly half Chad Cunnigan also added tries and Cromley landed four conversions in what had every appearance of becoming a rout.
Then BG had its own turn facing the wind and suddenly a 33–0 lead didn’t look so secure. Michigan scored three unanswered tries until the two teams began alternately trading one for one scoring blows. Ackermann picked up his second try of the day while Mongold punched over his second and third. Cromley only conversion of the second half ended the match at 50–27 but Michigan had clearly taken over the momentum.
That momentum continued right through to the second match as Michigan used the wind to roll up a 27–5 first half lead against the Falcons. BG had only a solo try by center Zac Molnar to show for nearly forty straight minutes on defense backed up against their own goal line. A verbal halftime thrashing by BG assistant coach Chris Hopps and the wind at their backs, enabled the Falcons to chalk up another notch in the win column.
Fullback Matt Johnston reeled off a pair of long runs for tries as did wing Kyle Sitzes. Hooker Ty Long punched in a try from short yardage as the nearly down and out Falcons stole a victory from the all-stars. Fly half Jon Woodman’s conversion kick broke a short-lived tie and gave BG a hard earned 29–27 victory.
BG finished off the weekend with a pair of victories over Ohio State — Marion by scores of 1 –12 and 10–0. In the first match center Andrew Hughes and wing Chris Heiny scored tries and fly half Derek Imes made both conversions. In the second match, center Gordon Kropp and rookie lock Josh Lenix scored tries to help BG sweep the weekend.
Now 9–1, BG will travel to Detroit to take on senior men’s team Detroit Tradesmen RFC on Saturday.
