October 2, 2016
American International College Men’s Rugby Defeats UConn
Logos: American International College Rugby and UConn Rugby
Doug Coil
The recap is based on a release by AIC Rugby.
On Saturday, October 1, American International College Men’s Rugby team defeated the University of Connecticut 41-19 in an East Coast Rugby Conference match. With the win AIC improves to 4-0 in league play and will face Northeastern on October 9 at home at Abdow Field at 3pm. UConn now has a 1-3 record and will face UMass at home on October 8 at 2pm.
UConn took the lead 5-0 after their scrumhalf went in for a try seventeen minutes into the match. AIC tied the match a few minutes later Matt Jones scored the first of his four tries on the day. This try occurred when UConn was down a man from a yellow card that was issued a minute prior to the try. Kurt Werner then added another try, which was converted by Michele Magistrali for a 12-5 lead. The score did not change prior to halftime, but AIC take advantage of the UConn player that was sent to the bin by scoring two tries.
AIC started quickly in the second half with Matt Jones adding his second try two minutes into the half. Play then went back and forth until Malik Walker went in for a try at fifty eight minutes and the conversion was good by Magistrali to push the score to 24-5.
Five minutes later, UConn’s fullback narrowed the score to 24-12, with a try that was then converted.
On the restart, Malik Walker quickly struck for AIC in running in a try that was converted by Magistrali for a 31-12 lead. Matt Jones then added another try for AIC. (67′)
Three minutes later, UConn’s wing (#11) added a try and he also converted for the third time of the day and the score was 36-19. AIC was not finished for the day and Matt Jones added his fourth try and a 41-19 win for the Yellowjackets.
AIC Rugby Head Coach Rob Guiry
“It took a figurative punch in the mouth to get us going against UCONN. They came out and played a physical game and it was up to our men to answer the call. Prop Skyler Adams played his best game of the fall, actively thumping their bigger players, after recovering from offseason knee surgery. Christian Adams on the wing put the team on his back early in the second half with some strong line breaks. Hard powerful runs by Malik Walker, Tommy Clark, and Matthew Jones were instrumental in the win. Matty Jones, with 4 tries, played like an All American today. With 4 turnovers forced, 4 tries, and great work at the breakdown, he is working hard to put himself on the map. Focus now turns to Northeastern in our final home game of the year. Senior Day, 10/9, 3pm, Abdow Field.”
Matthew Jones, Jr. #8 said “First half didn’t go to plan but we slowly picked it up in the second half and it showed as we went on to score a majority of our points.”
Christian Adams, Sr. Wing added “We had another slow start but this week we eliminated the penalties. We’re getting better each week, steadily building up to our goal of Bowl Game champions.”
AIC Rugby: Tries: Matthew Jones – x4 23′, 42′, 67′, 74′; Kurt Werner – x1 31′; Malik Walker – x2 58′, 63′ Conversions: Michele Magistrali x3
UCONN Rugby: Tries: #9 -17′; #15 63′; #11 70′ Conversions: #11 x2 43′ 70′Cards: Yellow 22′
