Bowling Green State University rugby player Kosta Anderson scores against Maryland. (Photo by Claire Hayes)
By Fitzpatrick Jerdon Metzger
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
Bowling Green (4-1, 2-0 MAC) had their second non-conference win this season, putting on their best performance of the season in a 79-3 victory over the NCR D-1AA Top 20 Coaches Poll No. 16th Maryland.
The Falcons close out their non-conference play with a promising record of 2-1.
“A much better performance. Obviously the scoreline was probably a little lopsided, a little more than we kind of expected for sure,” said coach Tony Mazzarella. “I think we played some really clinical rugby, certainly in the middle 40 minutes. Just a good win to get us back on track.”
The Falcons went into Homecoming weekend as the No. 5 ranked D-1AA team in the NCR Top 20 Coaches Poll with a match against the No. 16 team Maryland. After the weekend and a 79-3 home blowout, the Falcons have advanced to the No. 3 rank in this week’s NCR Top 20 Coaches Poll and dropped Maryland out of the top 20.
These two teams have not played since 2013, which resulted in a BGSU victory. The match started with a Maryland Penalty Kick to take the lead 0-3. From there on, the Falcons would play their best match of the season.
“Overall I think as a team we played closer to our potential then we have in the past, which can attest to 2 things, attitude and effort,” said Captain Joey Apel. All 15 players on the field at any time played unselfishly and motivated, and they did it all at full pace for 80 minutes.”
After going down 0-3, the Falcons would score 79 unanswered points, more than double the 35 unanswered points scored against Michigan (Big Ten) in the week 1 47-12 win. In what was a much needed complete 80 minute performance, the win will provide a massive boost going into the second half of the season.
The 2nd XV was also able to secure a win over Homecoming weekend. This gave the club their fourth weekend sweep this season. In what was a hard fought 29-15 win for the 2nd XV, 8-Man Nathan Medved led the way by scoring his first hattrick of the season (3 tries for 15 points).
Additionally, Paolo Sferrella and Robbie Bricker contributed with one try each and Isaac Radke provided 4 points (2 from 5 on conversions, 40%).
NOTABLES
The Falcons scored 79 unanswered points to defeat the No. 16 Terps.
Three Falcons scored 10+ points: Joey Apel 14 pts (1 try and 7 from 13 on conversions, 53.85%, Griffin Wilson and Phil Tracey 10 points (2 tries each).
Nine different Falcons scored a Try: Owen Slimmer, Joey Apel, Vice President Ben Young, Logan Van Hoose, Evan Holderer, Joe Romshe, President Kosta Anderson, John Matier, John-Luke Weiler.
In his First XV debut, Evan Holderer scored his first try for the First XV.
The Falcons had their highest points total, 79, and largest points differential, +76, of any game this season.
Nathan Medved scored his first hat trick (3 tries, 15 points) for the Second XV.
Robbie Bricker scored his first try of the season for the Second XV.
Bowling Green (4-1, 2-0 MAC) will be off the weekend of October 5th due to Fall Break. The Falcons will start up again with their next MAC Conference game against Ohio University (1-3 MAC) at 1 pm on Saturday, October 12th at the Roger Mazzarella Rugby Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st XV
Bowling Green 79, Maryland 3
Kickoff
Maryland scores a PK (0-3)
8 Man Phil Tracey scores a try (5-3)
Apel Converts (7-3)
8 Man Phil Tracey scores his second try (12-3)
Scrum-half Griffin Wilson scores a try (17-3)
Wing Owen Slimmer scores a try (22-3)
Hooker Ben Young scores a try (27-3)
Center Joey scores a try and converts (34-3)
Halftime: (34-3)
Center Logan Van Hoose scores a try (39-3)
Prop Evan Holderer scores his first A-side try (44-3)
Apel converts (46-3)
Center Joe Romshe scores (51-3)
Prop Kosta Anderson scores (56-3)
Apel converts (58-3)
Wing John Matier scores a try (63-3)
Apel converts (65-3)
Center John-Luke Weiler scores a try (70-3)
Apel converts (72-3)
Scrum-half Griffin Wilson scores a try (77-3)
Apel converts (79-3)
Final Score: 79-3
2nd XV
Bowling Green (29), Maryland (15)
Kickoff
Nathan Medved scores (5-0)
Maryland scores (5-5)
Nathan Medved scores (10-0)
Maryland scores (10-10)
Halftime: Score: (10-10)
Paolo Sferrella scores (15-10)
Radke converts (17-10)
Maryland scores (17-15)
Nathan Medved scores (22-15)
Robbie Bricker scores (27-15)
Radke converts (29-15)
Final Score: 29-15
