UHSP reaches finals in Indiana, but fall to Marian
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN - UHSP Men's Rugby kicked off their 7's season early this year with a trip to Wabash College to compete in the Bash in Black Tournament this weekend. The tournament attracted teams from Marian University, Taylor University, Cedarville University and Trine University as well as Wabash College and UHSP to Little Giants Stadium.
Pool play started with a narrow loss against a large and physical team in Marian University 17-7 featuring a try from freshman standout Dressden Roberts and the extra 2-point conversion added by freshman Dakota Faulkner. The second game in pool play was a big win, 34-0 against a rebuilding Taylor University, featuring tries from sophmore Toby Carruth, captain Hunter Clark, returner Dalton Peters and Faulkner, Dylan George and Ethan Jines (Faulkner with 2 conversions).
The seedings after pool play saw the UHSP men drawn against the hosting Little Giants, who finished 3rd in NCR Small College rugby last year. With a very vocal home support in the stadium, it was UHSP who drew first blood with a self-converted try by Faulkner. An unforced error allowed the Wabash men to push towards the UHSP try line and despite a strong defensive stand Wabash scored with time expired in the half to end the half 7-5 in favor of UHSP. The Wabash college coach inspired her men during the break and the crowd went wild as the home team scored first in the second half (with conversion) to take the lead 12-7. With a few changes of possession adding to the electric atmosphere in the stadium, Faulkner put a kick ahead for Clark to run onto and run in for a try to level the score. Faulkner was unable to convert the extra points and the game was tied 12-12 with less than a minute on the clock. George tried to catch the Little Giants off guard from the restart with a short restart, unsuccessfully, giving the Little Giants control of the ball with time bleeding away, but UHSP mounted a defensive barrage with some hard hits by sophmore Gavin Portell, Clark, Roberts, and George to force a penalty being awarded against Wabash for not releasing the ball in the tackle. A quick tap from the penalty restart and swift movement of the ball eventually led to Toby Carruth scoring with time expired to advance UHSP into the final!
Marian dispatched Trine University in their semi-final matchup to force a rematch of UHSP's first game with the Knights from Indianapolis. UHSP started the game with only two reserves (9 player total, Clark having received an injury in the semi-final) compared to a full strength 12-man Marian squad. Marian started the game with their signature direct running, trying to make their larger size count against Head Coach Peter Lang's more dynamic and free flowing style of rugby. Marian scored the first try, which they converted to lead 7-0 but a great show on patience and confidence by UHSP with possession of the ball as the Euts men stretched the Knights defense, moving the ball from one side line to the other and back several times, saw Faulkner spot some unprotected territory on the deep right of the feel and put a kick over the top, which he then collected to run in for a try. The conversion was unsuccessful, and the half ended 7-5 in favor of Marian. Marian used their numerical advantage in the second half as they brought on 5 pairs of fresh legs and scored 3 unanswered tries to take the final 26-5.
"It was a frustrating day" reflected Coach Lang "we have not yet mastered the style of play that we are trying to play, but there were glimpses of it and when we played like that, we looked great. Defensively we were so much better and that was really encouraging, as was the fact that our freshman featured so much and had so many positive impacts in the tournament. All but one freshman were on the score sheet, plus all but one of the sophomores, so that bodes well for the future – we are not a one trick pony, but can score from anywhere and with any player, that will be a dangerous and formidable talent in the future, but we have to, and aspire and have the drive to be, so much better. We know we could have beaten Marian but sometimes, especially in 7s, it just is not your day. All of these programs have been established a lot longer that UHSP, so it is good to see us competitive already and with recruiting going so well I am excited for what we are building. All the players are aligned in our purpose and vision, but we are hungry for more than we achieved today."
UHSP men's rugby will start their winter break conditioning program next week in preparation for a full spring semester that will see them compete in some top competitions such as the Bermuda International 7's, Tropical 7's and our home tournament – Prescription 7's. Keep an eye out for the spring schedule dropping soon.