MEN'S RUGBY

The Norwich University men's rugby team competed in the Big Apple Classic on Saturday, April 26, at Suffolk Community College (Brentwood campus). The Cadets won two matches and lost one on the day.

College, high school and women's sides also competed in this annual tournament, which is held traditionally in New York City. The last time Norwich made the trip was in 2003.

Norwich  22 - Hofstra 7

Norwich's first opponent of the tournament was Hofstra University from Hempstead, Long Island. The Cadets scored three unanswered tries at the three, six, and nine-minute marks of the first half. The first try of the day was scored by Joey Mac Dizon off the driving maul, from a five meter line-out.

The second try came from the base of the scrum. Norwich wins one against the head and scrumhalf Matt Burke breaks through Hofstra's line and races 40 meters between the posts for a try. Freshman fullback Dominic Cloutier converts to bring the score to 17-0 in favor of the Cadets. Hofstra came back with a converted try of its own, which left the halftime score at 17-5.

The only scoring of the second half came from freshman #8 Eric Poalino off a line-out.

Vassar 26 - Norwich 0

Shortly after the Hofstra match, Norwich moved to another pitch to take on Vassar College. Before the Cadets could get their bearings Vassar scored three converted tries for a 21-0 halftime lead. After Norwich gave up an early try in the second half, the Cadets settled down and played with improved focus but they fell, 26-0.

Norwich 32 - Marist 5

Norwich played its best rugby of the day vs Marist of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Norwich, with the wind at its back, dominated play in Marist's territory. Matt Burke at the eleventh-minute scored an outstanding try. He kicked over the defense, chased down the ball, caught the ball off the bounce and placed it down between the posts for the try. Cloutier converted, and Norwich leads, 7-0. As a result of intense forward play, four minutes later, Burke scores another try in the corner of the in-goal. The halftime score is 12-0 in favor of Norwich.

In the second half, Norwich scores four unanswered tries. At the fourth minute of the second half, inside center Dustin Fontanila scores from good ball handling. Shortly after, at the penalty, Matt Burke quick taps and dashes 70 meters for what appeared to be a try. Instead, a five-meter scrum is given and at the scrum Burke dashes weak side for his hat trick. Norwich takes the lead, 22-0. The next two tries, both scored by loose-head prop, Joey MacDizon, come from excellent team play. Marist gets on the scoreboard at the final whistle. Norwich's attack scored a season-high six tries in this match, en route to the 32-5 victory.

"In the second half, against the wind, Norwich played its best rugby of the season," said NU head coach Bob Weggler. "Today, this young group had a real sense of accomplishment and gained valuable experience."

This concludes Norwich's season. In the fall, Norwich will begin competing as a varsity sport at the Division I level.