Big Green Clash

The Hammerheads took on stiff competition from the Big Green of Dartmouth this weekend at the Northeast Rugby Union Collegiate Playoffs. Syracuse had a large mountain to climb, they came into the game slight underdogs but there was something in the air that day as Syracuse, as in weeks past, raised the level of their game to match and outlast the Big Green.

This regional rivalry which had been brewing for some years, saw the Big Green winning out all previous meetings between the two teams for the past 7 years; with their superior kicking and explosive style of offense, left something to be handled by the boys in Blue and Orange.

The game got off to a rocky start with the injury to inside center Kyle Harris within the first five minutes of the game, but he would come back in a few minutes later only to be subbed out completely after sustaining an eye injury. But with capable subs on hand the Hammerheads forged on through. The Big Greens powerful kicking attack was subdued by the slippery ball conditions and some stout defense by Syracuse. Both teams were held scoreless until the 40th minute when Dartmouth touched down for the first, and only try of the game.

Coming back from the half the Hammerheads knew what to expect and the game was on. The Hammerheads had two scoring opportunities, but due to messy ball, and slick hands Syracuse couldn’t get over the try line. But the pressure exerted by the Hammerheads would lead to Big Green errors, which gave the Hammerheads penalty opportunities. Fullback Zach Barker, who was 1 for 3 on the day in kicking, posted the first Hammerhead points with a successful kick at goal. Toward the 60th minute the Hammerheads really poured it on, managing to stay inside the Dartmouth half and force two more penalty opportunities, only one of which converted by Joe Jacobi to give Syracuse the lead 6-5, heading into the home stretch.

Though Dartmouth threatened one or two more times in the Hammerheads half, the clock was Syracuse’s greatest ally in this meeting. And with the final whistle the match ended, Syracuse being only the second team from the NYS Division I to go to the Sweet 16 national tournament since Cornell did in 1996. And on the 40th Anniversary of the clubs founding, this was the first National Playoff berth for the Hammerheads. Even with the win, the Hammerheads had a huge day under the lights, as they would take on Army that Sunday to decide number one in the Northeast.

Off the Coast of the Hudson River

The Sunday game saw the Hammerheads missing four of players as they took on the formidable Army side. Syracuse was outmatched, but the spirit from the win the previous day kept the Hammerheads on even footing throughout the match. Both teams were held scoreless until Joe Jacobi converted a penalty to give the Hammerheads their only lead of the day. Army responded to this by touching down in the 14th minute and never looking back, though Syracuse did well and stayed disciplined until the last minutes of the game when 8-man Dan Corcoran was carded for going offside’s after repeated ref warnings the Knights had the upper hand. Syracuse would put up 18 points, to Army’s 53 but this little taste of higher level rugby was what is needed to prepare the Hammerheads for the National tournament come April.

And from all the Syracuse University Rugby Football Club players, we would like to say thank you to the coaches, Robert Wilson, David DeSalvia, and Dave Waldron for coaching to a great season. We would like to say thank you to all the fans and parents that supported this years amazing season by supplying us with food, hospitality, and funding so that we can do something that we love. And to the Alumni those gone, and those still with us, we are proud to wear the Orange and Blue knowing that those who came before us can see the progress we’ve made in their names and for the sake of the club. Thank you all so very much.