But the match was hard hitting and both sides wanting to dominate the other. Both the MSU and UTD defended like mad men, not allowing each other to get into goal, but it was MSU that drew first blood, scoring on a forwards last lunge toward the goal line. They missed the conversion and lead UT Dallas 5 - 0. UT Dallas then got into gear and began to put things together and marched down the pitch themselves. With UT Dallas deep in the red zone, UT Dallas threw everything at MSU. It was through sneaky play by the scrumhalf Michael Shamoun that he squeezed his way through to score UT Dallas first of 2 trys on the day. Brian Martinez converted to take the lead 7 to 5/
MSU was able to kick a Penatly for an additional 3 points and with little time remaining in the first half UT Dallas again marched down the field, but most of it came off a dazzling little maneuver by Flyhalf Andrew Whiteis. He scooted down the field, in and out to score UT Dallas 2nd Try of the afternoon. Brain again made the conversion to bring the lead UT Dallas 14 - MSU 8.
The second half began as the first half was played both sides looking for a weakness to exploit, but it was a mental mistake on UT Dallas part, that gave MSU a converted Try and the lead. The score now MSU 15, UTD 14. From here MSU got another Penalty Kick to win the match 18 to 14.
The lads played very well, they are really working on new things and working hard to continue the legacy created by the players before them. But like the prior UTD teams, size can be the detriment and that seems to be our battle each week.
The line up for the match:
1. Maika, 2. Daniel, 3. Ryan, 4. Precious, 5. Manny, 6. Jonathan, 7. Jack, 8. Jake, 9. Michael, 10. Andrew, 11. Zach Richied, 12. Seth, 13. Nick Pebworth, 14. Octavio Koch
Replacements - Zain for Jack, Joe for Octavio
UT Dallas Women vs Lamar Women
This was a great match to watch (wish I could have been there to witness it) but according to text messages received and sent by my Assistant Coach Derek, the final score UT Dallas Women 77, Lamar Women 20. This is how the match went.
Amber was the first to score roughly 2 minutes into the match and that seemed to open the flood gates of UT Dallas Women to score. It seemed that every 2 or 3 minutes a UT Dallas Women's Rugby player was scoring a try.
Scoring Trys on the evening - Amber 4 Trys, Marie 3 Trys, Judit 2 Trys, Vic, Alyssa, Rachel and Mel all scoring 1 Try. Alyssa was also instrumental in converting 6 of those Trys.
This was a great night for the ladies and next week they have a bye with no games scheduled, they can probably use the break in action and prepare for the final 2 games on the schedule.
The guys have a special scrimmage Wednesday evening against UNT, this will be a 60 minute match with all the players from UT Dallas that haven't had much playing time against UNT's second side. Kick off for this is 7:30. Next Saturday night we will be hosting our Alumni Match, kick off for this is set for 7:00. This could be the toughest match not being a league match because I can already see some of the past UT Dallas Rugby players coming back to show the current UT Dallas Rugby club what it's all about. Players like Nathan Sohadaseni, Dominic Prestia, AJ Peradowski, Vince Dutton, Cam Broussard, John Bradshaw, Sunshine, Sean (I'm gonna run side ways) Harris and a host of many more past champions from the UT Dallas Rugby Club past.