September 2, 2016
Notre Dame Men’s Rugby Opens Season With Win Against Michigan
Doug Coil
The University of Michigan Men’s Rugby hosted the University of Notre Dame men’s Rugby under the lights in a exciting battle between these prominent Collegiate rugby teams. Notre Dame emerged with a 40-31 win for new head coach Justin Hickey.
Michigan took the early lead three minutes into the match with a try that was converted for a 7-0 lead. Notre Dame struck right back a minute later, as Luc Joseph went in for a try to narrow the gap to 7-5. The teams engaged in a seesaw attacks before Notre Dame added a penalty kick by Dan Conmy for a 8-7 lead sixteen minutes later.
Notre Dame increased their lead to 15-7 after flyhalf Nick Argy added a try and Dan Conmy converted. Michigan fought back with a try of their own several minutes later and the score was 15-12 in favor of Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish would add another try by Luc Joseph three minutes prior to halftime for a 20-12 lead.
Early during the second half, eight man and captain, Pat McMahon touched down in the corner for a try and a 25-12 lead. Several minutes later Conmy added a penalty kick.
Notre Dame was now in a position to salt away the match with another try. Michigan dispelled that thought with two tries of their own to narrow Notre Dame’s lead to 28-24. It was anybody’s match with fifteen minutes remaining.
Notre Dame added two tries of their own at 73 and 78 minutes from Gadient that was converted by Conmy and then by Conmy to seal the match. Michigan added a try in the final minute, but Notre Dame left with a 40-31 win.
Brandon Sparks will have his team regroup to be ready for his next match knowing that his team battled right to the end of the match.
Justin Hickey, who succeeded Sean O’Leary, the PRO Rugby Denver Stampede Head Coach, has to be please with the road win, his first with the team.
University of Michigan Squad v Notre Dame
1 Lee Moore 2 Nate Fisher 3 Nick Azzopardi 4 Mike Shay 5 Jamie Demers 6 Ben Cotsarelis 7 Mike Rawetzki 8 Zack Burns (c) 9 Guy Burke 10 Tomer Chen 11 David Caputo 12 Tony Rakotovololona 13 Ron Marine 14 Matt Kasten 15 Andre Cargill 16 Max Bermont 17 Kyle Gruebnau 18 Henry Phillips 19 Albert Foo 20 justin Malin 21 Colin Walters 22 Tanner Visco 23 Kyle Patmore
Notre Dame Squad v Michigan
Aristotle Zervoudakis 2 Luc Joseph 3 Anthony Anonia 4 Griffin Gilmore 5 Joe Cook 6 Mack Vanek 7 Matt Strosser 8 Pat McMahon (c) 9 Jake Rindle 10 Nick Argy 11 Casey Nash 12 Carter Bench 13 Rob Giambone 14 Elton Chang 15 Dan Conmy
