The Wake Forest Men's Rugby Team held its annual year end awards banquet on Sunday in the Benson Student Center. After a nicely catered meal and a slideshow of the past year's rugby matches, the team handed out awards for the year's performances. Junior scrumhalf Drew Legge and sophomore center David Sage shared the award for most outstanding defensive player, while Sage also took home the most improved player award. Most outstanding forward went to freshman prop Matt Storck and most outstanding back went to junior center Mike Wills. Senior Dinesh Kirpalani was honored for his off-the-field contributions to the team with the "Unsung Hero Award," while Junior Matt Gottbrecht was similarly lauded for his efforts in building the team with the "Wake Rugby Man of the Year Award." Finally, senior flyhalf Tyler Eure was named the teams MVP for the 2007-2008 season. Eure, a four year starter and three time North Carolina Rugby Union All-Star, started every game for Wake Forest at flyhalf since taking over the position in the fall of 2005. Eure captained the team in the 2007-2008 season and led Wake to its most successful season ever. He graduates as one of Wake's all-time best rugby players and leaves some huge shoes to fill for next year's #10.
The team also honored head coach Barry Horewitch for his work in leading the team to the South Championship match in his first year as head coach, assistant coaches Brad Havins and Greg Dover, team physician Dr. Daryl Rosenbaum, faculty advisor Dr. Bill Marcum, and Director of Men's Rugby Pat Kane.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
2008-2009 Wake Forest Rugby Executive Board
President: Matt Gottbrecht
Vice-President: David Poplaski
Treasurer: David Sage
Match Coordinator: David Taveira
Event Coordinator: Drew Legge
Alumni Liason: Critter Commins
Publicity Director: JT Pfeifer
Vice-President: David Poplaski
Treasurer: David Sage
Match Coordinator: David Taveira
Event Coordinator: Drew Legge
Alumni Liason: Critter Commins
Publicity Director: JT Pfeifer
Monday, April 7, 2008
Wake Drops Two in Atlantic Coast Invitational
Fielding a mixed side of first and second siders, Wake lost both its pool matches in the inaugural Atlantic Coast Invitational Rugby Tournament in Raleigh, NC on Saturday. Clearly tired and uninspired after a long weekend of rugby in the South Final Four last week, Wake held tight with Maryland in its first match, before Maryland pulled away behind the strength of their forwards to win 22-0. In Wake's second match, they were completely dominated 32-0 by Florida State, who proved to be the surprise of the tournament. Florida State's backline put together a number of fantastic movements, something that was rarely seen throughout the tournament due to the miserable weather and field conditions.
The semifinals of the tourney pitted University of Virginia against Florida State and University of North Carolina against Maryland. In the first semifinal, Maryland defeated UNC 19-11, utilizing their forward-based style to grind away in the muddy conditions. At times Maryland was driving mauls with as many as 13 players, and despite the fact that UNC had staked itself to an 11-5 lead, Maryland fought back in the second half to move into the final.
UVA defeated FSU 10-8 in the second semifinal, as UVA's Australian fullback notched a penalty goal with only seconds remaining in the match to steal the victory. This was Florida State's second last minute loss of the tournament, as the day before in pool play they were defeated by Maryland on a try on the game's last set piece.
In the final it looked to be all UVA from the start, as they dominated possession and territory and jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. But Maryland was able to slowly exert their style of play on the Cavs and eventually knotted the score at 5 apiece. The match looked to be headed to overtime, when Virginia put together a nice string of phases and touched down in the corner to take the lead with minutes remaining. Maryland fought hard to get the equalizer, but was unable to really threaten and Virginia won 12-5, capturing the first ever Atlantic Coast Invitational Rugby Championship.
The semifinals of the tourney pitted University of Virginia against Florida State and University of North Carolina against Maryland. In the first semifinal, Maryland defeated UNC 19-11, utilizing their forward-based style to grind away in the muddy conditions. At times Maryland was driving mauls with as many as 13 players, and despite the fact that UNC had staked itself to an 11-5 lead, Maryland fought back in the second half to move into the final.
UVA defeated FSU 10-8 in the second semifinal, as UVA's Australian fullback notched a penalty goal with only seconds remaining in the match to steal the victory. This was Florida State's second last minute loss of the tournament, as the day before in pool play they were defeated by Maryland on a try on the game's last set piece.
In the final it looked to be all UVA from the start, as they dominated possession and territory and jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. But Maryland was able to slowly exert their style of play on the Cavs and eventually knotted the score at 5 apiece. The match looked to be headed to overtime, when Virginia put together a nice string of phases and touched down in the corner to take the lead with minutes remaining. Maryland fought hard to get the equalizer, but was unable to really threaten and Virginia won 12-5, capturing the first ever Atlantic Coast Invitational Rugby Championship.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Atlantic Coast Invitational Update
Duke has withdrawn from the Atlantic Coast Invitational, citing player availablility. That has forced a reworking of the schedule. Wake Forest is now in a 5 team pool with Maryland, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Miami. Wake will kickoff the tournament against Virginia Tech at 9am on Saturday.
For the updated schedule and other tournament information, check out http://www.acirugby.com/.
For the updated schedule and other tournament information, check out http://www.acirugby.com/.
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