BGSU rugby player Zach Szepiela carries the ball against Louisville. (Photo by Michelle Eichholtz)
The Bowling Green State University mens rugby ream (5-1 overall, 4-0 MAC) will play their final home conference game against the MAC No. 6 Seed on Saturday against Ohio University (1-4 MAC).
The Falcon’s will look to continue their form in the conference to extend their lead in the MAC. The match will kickoff at 1 p.m. at Roger Mazzarella Rugby Field in Bowling Green.
The last time the Falcons faced the Bobcats was in the 50-0 away win on October 28, 2023. The Falcons will need to keep their foot on the gas and not let up against a bottom half team in the conference. This is a fantastic opportunity to iron out any kinks in the system that were found during last weekend’s 28-27 victory over Louisville.
Last rime on the field, Bowling Green traveled to Louisville to face who was then the Nationally Ranked No. 3 team. Through the backing of the second side and traveling fans, the Falcons started off strong going up 13-3 early into the first half through a brace from Hooker Ben Young and a penalty kick from Captain Joey Apel.
The Falcons missed out on some easy points in strong scoring positions. After halftime, Fullback Joe Romshe scored a quick try in the corner to go up 18-3.
From there, Louisville woke up and quickly bounced back with a try to make it 18-10. Winger Owen Slimmer responded with an impressive 20 meter open play drop kick while under penalty advantage to make it 21-10. Then Louisville took control, scoring 17 unanswered points to take a 27-21 lead going into the final seconds of the game.
However, Club President Kosta Anderson won a momentum shifting poach in the dying seconds of the game. From there on with time expired the Falcons were on the attack inside Louisville’s 22nd deep into borrowed time.
The Falcons slowly advanced their way toward the try zone. Prop Ralph Merz ultimately scored a pick and go from five meters out to bring the score to 27=26.
Fullback Joe Romshe stepped up for the must make conversion. From five meters off the sideline, Joe Romshe slotted the kick to give the Falcons a 28-27 win on the final play of the game.
Last season Ohio University finished fifth with 15 points in the MAC with a 3-4 record and missed out on the MAC Tournament. They were sixth for points for (83), points against (261), and seventh for points differential (-178).
This season, Ohio University is 1-4 and No. 6 in the MAC. Their season began with a strong 43-12 home win over Dayton. Then the Bobcats lost their next four MAC games. It started with an 85-0 loss away in Louisville, then a 61-0 loss away to Western Michigan, followed by a 27-12 loss at home to Cincinnati, and finally a 48-21 home loss to Pitt last Saturday.
Bowling Green will play their final MAC Conference game away against No. 12 Ranked (No. 2 MAC) Western Michigan. The game will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 2 at Versluis/Dickinson Park, Kalamazoo Michigan.
