Ruggers shipwreck overpowered Coast Guard

Author: Eri Nosaka

This weekend the men's team faced a doubleheader against Colby College and Coast Guard on its way to winning a New England Championship.

On Saturday, the Panthers played against the Colby Mules and crushed them by a score of 27-7. Although Middlebury's ability to completely overwhelm Colby was memorable, the more important and exciting game from this weekend was against Coast Guard. Last year the team experienced a devestating defeat against Yale University, making it their first loss of the New England Championship in four years. This year however, Middlebury came back with vengeance and conquered Coast Guard in a nail biting game.

Coast Guard, a fierce rival of the Panthers, proved to be far more aggressive and physically impressive than any other team that they had played in the past. Atypical from most of the other scores the team saw this past season, Coast Guard truly gave them a run for their money, eventually losing by a score of 11-6.

"Thanks to the golden toe of Craig Wilson and the incredible play of the forwards, we managed to beat a team that outweighed us by 15 pounds at every position," said Luke Hammock '06.

While the teams were more than equals in skill, talent and dedication, Middlebury's forwards managed to play effectively while also stifling Coast Guard's main weapons: crashing, rucking and mauling.

At the end of regulation time the score was tied at 6-6 due to two successful penalty kicks for both sides. Two five minute halves of overtime were needed to decide the outcomme. Just 30 seconds remained in the second half when Pascal Losambe '07 scored a try, earning Middlebury another New England Championship.

"All in all, it makes me proud to be a part of such a good group of guys who didn't get scared or intimidated, which would have been really easy to do," said Hammock.

Despite needing to play the game in Rutland due to an unplayable field in Middlebury, throngs of friends and family made it out to witness the glorious victory. "It was amazing to see so many fans at the game. We had a lot of first-time spectators who couldn't have asked for a more exciting match. I hope that they will come out again next week, and bring their friends - Middlebury rugby is the best show in town, and this is one of the most exciting teams we have put on the field in quite some time," said Calvin Garner '06.

While the men will no doubt relish its victory, they will still have to return to grueling practices in order to prepare for their next opponent, Vassar College, who they will face in the North East Quarterfinals at home this coming Sunday.

"This game was unlike any game that they have ever played and the boys will remember this one forever. The individual and team efforts from the boys on our team and Coast Guard, was incredible. It was truly, as a whole, a superb job," said Coach Ward Patterson.