Who let the Dogs out? That’s what the residents of Rockport wanted to know as two Division 1 Beanpot rivals descended onto the fields of Rockport High School in a mass of black and red. Northeastern University’s Maddogs, led by coaches Sean O’Leary and Pat Shafto, pounded the Boston University Terriers 26-3 before a crowd of several hundred locals in the season opener.
Perfect weather and excellent field conditions set the stage as the Maddogs scored a try and a conversion goal in the first 15 minutes of the game. The Terriers responded 15 minutes later with a goal; unfortunately that would be their one and only score of the entire game, as a second attempt at a goal failed just before the end of the half.
Going into the second half the Maddogs were fearsome as they scored three more tries and two conversion goals. Of particular note was the Maddogs’ dominance in the scrums, which were powerful and well-developed. Overall the Maddogs put on a great show for new and old fans alike.
So just how did this Dogfight end up in Rockport? B.U. coach Stephen Taylor lives in Rockport. Rockport High School Principal Charles Symonds, a former Tufts University rugby player and co-founder of the Charles River Club, worked with Taylor to schedule the rare college match at the high school, hoping to spark an interest in the sport.
The match was well-publicized and attracted spectators of all ages. Many who attended had never seen a live rugby match, and seemed to enjoy the excitement and nuances of the game. When one young spectator was asked which “dog” he thought would win the match, he replied, “it’s always the madder dog who wins!” And so it was the Northeastern University Maddogs who prevailed.