Saturday evening the ladies took the field for the second time. The lineup for this match was 1. Saskia, 2. Amber, 3. Ellen, 4. Alyssa, 5. Sarah, 6. Stephanie, 7. Maria. With each half lasting only 7 minutes, it can seem like an eternity if you happen to be on the wrong end of scores. But this is exactly what the ladies of UTD did. They went
out and scored 3 Trys in this first half and converting 2 of them. The second half was a bit more of a controlled half with the ladies doing what they had been coached. They tackled well against UTSA and clearly they’re learning when and how to attack. The second half only one Try was scored and the match ended with UTD on top 24 to 0.
Scores in this match was by Marie (2), Stephanie (1), Alyssa (1 Try & 2 conversions)
The second match of the evening was played, with a new lineup, 1. Ellen, 2. Saskia, 3. Aimi, 4. Gisselle, 5. Lauren, 6. Ariel, 7. Andrea. This time it was a slightly more experienced side they were playing, but the ladies rose to the occasion and played great. While they were undersized a bit and the speed UTSA brought to this match was somewhat lopsided, but the girls didn’t care. They went out and took care of business. UTSA was spotted 22 points for the first half of play, in which they found gaps in our defense and exploited them. The second half a few
substitutions were made to try and reel back in UTSA, but it was a little too much to overcome such a huge score.
They bright side of this was that Marie ran in another Try on the day. The final score UTD 5, UTSA 27, I can’t say how proud I am of the ladies, they traveled very well, they supported each other and they’re learning a game that is easy yet difficult. With time I see them playing even better than they are now. In my opinion my lady of the match would go to Marie Imperial for scoring 3 Trys on the day. Honorable mentions to Sarah, Saskia, Stephanie, Ellen, Alyssa who are leading these ladies at practice and in their games. Other noteworthy mentions goes out to Amber and Gisselle who both are learning the rugby position of Hooker and are playing very well. Ariel who recently came to practice and played in her first game. Andrea, Aimi, and Lauren who are all learning and building their confidence daily at practice and in their matches. It’s not an easy thing for anyone who has never played a sport that involves running with a ball, tackling and basic pushing people around, but they are all learning to do this and I see their confidence growing. Coach Sharpie is doing a great job with them in my time away, when I’m working with the men.
Saturday evening, the first of two men’s semi final matches, your UT Dallas Rugby club playing against LeTourneau University (LU) for the third time this season. LU earned the 4th seed into this playoff/championship by knocking out UD, MSU and SMU. As reported in an earlier posting, this match has all the markings of what will be a close fought match. And it was for the first 20 minutes of the match, LU managed to score a penalty kick and an unconverted Try to take an early lead, but that was about all UTD needed to wake up. They then went on a 5 Try, 5 Conversion scoring streak to close the first half, UTD 35 to LU’s 11.
The lineup: 1. Erbold, 2. AJ, 3. Nate, 4. John, 5. Weston, 6. Ben,.7. Mohammad, 8. Sunshine, 9. Cameron, 10. Vince, 11. Justin, 12. Dominic, 13. Luke, 14. Alejandro, 15. Brian.
Replacements in the second half: Jimmy in for 7, Jonathan in for 3, Chad in for 13, Brandon in for 12, Joe in for 10 (Brian moved to Flyhalf, Joe played Fullback), Matt in for 8 (Ben moved to # 8 and Matt played Flanker)
The second half was exactly like the first half except LU didn’t have any opportunities to score. UT Dallas put up another 6 Trys with 3 Conversions. This match was entirely all UT Dallas, their defense was on and they attacked and used the field very well.
Players scoring Trys in this match – Anthony (AJ) Paradowski (3), Vince (3 Trys, 6 conversions), Justin Thompson (2), Dominic Prestia (2), Alejandro Chinchilla (1).
With that victory, this put us into the Championships against the winner of the UTSA and Angelo St (ASU) match.
This match was eventually won by ASU 14 to 10.
Sunday came around the lads were rested and things began to fall into place. The lads were warming up and there was an air of confidence around them. The match began at noon and the lineup was: 1. Erbold, 2. AJ, 3.Nate, 4. John, 5. Weston, 6. Ben, 7. Jimmy, 8. Sunshine, 9. Cameron, 10. Vince, 11. Justin, 12. Dominic, 13. Chad, 14.
Alejandro, 15. Brian.
Replacements in the second half: Luke in for 13, Jonathan in for 3, Alex in for 1
This was a very tough match, ASU clearly had size on us but that was about all they had on us. The match was played between the 22 meter lines and occasionally ASU would manage to get into our Red Zone but were turned away. But in this half it was UTD, they scored 4 Trys in this half, but the more amazing part of those 4 Trys was that 3
of them were scored by one player. Justin Thompson found the gift end of kicks from ASU and he turned the corner each time and ran them into goal. At one point an ASU forward told his Flyhalf to quit kicking it to the
fastest player. The end of the first half had UTD 24, ASU 12.
The second half began and this was an exciting half of rugby. Both sides were pumped up after ASU scored a Try and awaiting the restart, they were yelling ASU and your Comets were jogging back to the half way line yelling back UTD. Supporters from both schools were also yelling their schools and both teams were jumping up and down with pure adrenalin. At one point ASU got to within 10 points of UTD, and they knew they could score those and maybe force an overtime match. ASU took the restart and managed to get back into striking distance. 5 meters from our goal line, your UTD rugby players defended that goal like I’ve seen them do time and time again, but an unfortunate thing happened. ASU was penalized and with about 3 minutes left in the match. Both coaches were thinking, kick for touch, take the lineout and march down field or at least play possession ball. But the players had another idea; Vince tapped the ball and fed Dominic who ran like a man possessed. Dominic got to the half way line where we won a quick ruck and moved to the ASU 22 meter line, another quick ruck won, we got to their goal line were Cameron found a gap and scored the sealing Try. The match ended shortly after that with the final scores UT Dallas 41, ASU 24.
Trys were scored by Cameron Broussard (1), Vince (2 Trys, 3 conversions), Justin Thompson (3), Alejandro Chinchilla (1).
With this win, it brought the lads to a perfect 10 – 0 for the season and combined with last year’s record, UT Dallas is 17– 0 perfect in league, playoff and championships on Texas soil.
Our next match will be March 23rd and 24th in the Cowboy Cup, where we will be the number 1 seed going into this playoff. More info to come soon.
Thank you to everyone that came to one or both matches to support the either the ladies or men or both. I also would like to thank my coaches, Bear and Sharpie because without their help none of this would have been possible.
It’s too much for one person and while the lads and lasses are all eager to learn, it really helps to have another set of
eyes.
Last thank you to everyone (Heather Ball and John Bradshaw) for supplying the birthday cake and everyone for singing, it was a great gift.