November 13, 2010

Bittersweet End to the Rugby Season

ITHACA, N.Y. – It was a bittersweet end to a successful season for Franciscan University’s rugby team at the Sweet 16 national playoff match Saturday afternoon. The Barons fell to the Ithaca College Bombers 34-0, thus ending their postseason potential to advance to the next round in the National Small College Rugby Organization division three playoffs. The Barons haven’t made it this far since 2001.

“Ithaca was a good team with solid rugby fundamentals,” noted head coach Mark Hanrahan. “They neutralized our speed and athleticism.”

Ithaca dominated from the beginning, leading at the half 21-0. Four tries with successful conversions and two penalty kicks by the Bombers left the Barons shutout. Franciscan was unable to capitalize on any offensive strategies due to 37 penalties called in the match. Notably, Mike Brasie’s breakaway try was called back for an illegal stiff-arm to the face.

Despite the setback, Hanrahan was proud of the hard work the Barons showed on the pitch. “I feel terrible for the boys that we had to lose this way,” he said. “But I am proud of how hard we worked to get to this match! They should be proud of their accomplishment.”

The Barons headed to the match with a perfect record and Allegheny Rugby Union championship title, ready to face the undefeated Bombers in the first round of national playoffs. The top 16 teams out of 136 in NSCRO Division III faceoff in the Sweet 16 round and advance to the Elite Eight if victorious. Losing to Ithaca dropped Franciscan out of the running for the national championship.

Hanrahan is positive that next year’s team will show just as much promise. “We have the majority of our team back next year,” he noted, “so we have a lot to be excited about for the future of Baron Rugby!”