MEN'S RUGBY

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich men's rugby team closed out its season on Saturday, falling to Northeastern, 20-5, on a rainy day in Northfield.  Northeastern jumped ahead 7-0 on a converted try five minutes into the match, and the Huskies never trailed.  

Just a few minutes later, Norwich forged its way down inside Northeastern's end with excellent tactical kicking from senior captain Todd Howe at the fly half position. The "Wick" was unable to capitalize from its own five-meter lineout.

Despite the wet conditions, Norwich displayed outstanding ball retention through the forwards. The pack drove forward in the scrums and rucks putting Northeastern back on its heels.

Norwich continued to play solid defense, denying Northeastern continuity of play. The "Wick" attacked the ball to the five-meter line, but was unable to convert into points. In the final minute of the first half, Norwich gained possession from a Northeastern turnover. Senior inside center Ryan Molina ran the ball through the defense, broke a tackle, and passed out to supporting freshman winger Cory Murphy. Murphy outraced the defense 40 meters and dove at the corner of the in-goal for the try. The half ended, Northeastern 7- Norwich 5. You could sense the momentum swinging in Norwich's favor.

As in the first half, Northeastern scored five minutes in on a penalty kick, increasing their lead, 10-5. Immediately following the restart, Norwich won its scrum and #10 Todd Howe pinpointed a kick deep behind the defense. Northeastern's fullback, under pressure, kicked to touch just past the five meter line. While it appeared that Norwich was about to even the score, it was unable to capitalize on the ensuing lineout.

Northeastern penetrated deep into Norwich's zone on three separate occasions, but each time Norwich's defense kept the Huskies from scoring. Twice the ball is held up by a Norwich defender, and the third time, Northeastern is penalized for hands in and Todd Howe kicks to touch at the penalty. An excellent in-goal stand by the "Wick"!

Suddenly, the momentum shifted. In the lineout, tight head prop Brad Panasiti was given a red card for dangerous play in the tackle. With fifteen minutes remaining and the score 10-5, the Wick was forced to play a man down. Northeastern kicked to touch, and at the following five-meter lineout they drove over for a try. With 14 minutes remaining in the second half, Northeastern led by a score of 15-5.

Five minutes later, scrumhalf Matt Burke was given a yellow card for not retreating 10 meters on a penalty after team warnings. Northeastern, now with a two-man advantage, scored their second try of the half, bringing the score to 20-5.

Despite playing with only 13 men, Norwich refused to quit, and battled back with some fine runs by senior flanker Drew Caplin.

"The scoreboard does not reflect the competiveness and intensity of play by the Norwich ruggers," said NU head coach Bob Weggler.  "The day was highlighted by the second side's first win, 12-0."

At the end of the day, after 10 weeks of rugby, 51 out of 60 roster players got to finish the season on the pitch--and 43 were underclassman. "This bodes well for our future," added Weggler.