Northeastern University Men's Rugby

Maddogs Drop Season Opener at UConn

Wednesday September 19, 2007
By: Connor Joyce

The Northeastern University Maddogs began the fall season on Sunday by visiting the University of Connecticut. It was an ideal day for rugby as the temperature was mild with plenty of sun.

The match kicked off at one o’clock with Northeastern receiving the ball and immediately making a push to UConn’s half of the pitch. Both teams traded possessions for the first few minutes, until the Maddogs completed a drive with a try scored off of a lineout by junior Nicholas “Bartotts” Barsotti. The conversion by Francis P. Houston put the Maddogs ahead 7-0. Connecticut answered with a try of their own after capitalizing on a Maddog penalties and breaking through the Northeastern defense with a few solid runs from their forwards. A conversion by Connecticut’s kicker tied the score was at 7-7.

Shortly before the end of the first half of play Northeastern gave up a penalty, which UConn took advantage of. After kicking for touch, Connecticut received a penalty within kicking distance and opted to kick for points. The kick split the uprights as time expired on the first half, and UConn led 10-7.

In the second half the Maddogs came out strong looking to avenge the last minute score from UConn. After playing in the Connecticut half of the field for a solid twenty minutes the Maddogs received a penalty in front of the uprights and put the ball through to tie the score at 10-10. Only minutes after, to Northeastern’s dismay, UConn’s forwards gave another strong surge down the field and shuffled the ball into the try zone. With the conversion Connecticut led 17-10 with ten minutes left in the match.

With time running out, the Maddogs played with their hearts on their sleeves and gave it their all. The backs showed great prowess in particular from junior John “The White” LeBlanc as he gave three great runs within UConn’s twenty-two. It seemed as though the Maddogs would be unable to capitalize on these runs, until junior James Mitchell touched the ball down for his first A-side try. The Maddogs were unable to convert on the kick and trailed 15-17 with just three minutes left in regulation. After a final push to the fifty meter line a penalty was called and the referee ended the game, with a final score of 17-15 in favor of Connecticut.

The Maddogs will travel to Yale this weekend to avenge this loss and get back on track to winning a national championship.

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Date	Home	Away
9/16	UConn	Northeastern
9/22	Yale	Northeastern
9/29	Northeastern	Dartmouth
10/6	Northeastern	Harvard
10/13	Northeastern	Army
10/20	Boston College	Northeastern
10/27	Norwich	Northeastern