Bonnies Sit at 2-1-1
Through Week Five
Battling some early-season injuries and a suspension to
captain Alex Brussard, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies rugby team finished the
first five weeks of the season at 2-1-1, including a bye week. With six matches
left to play over the final five weeks, here is a look back at the Bona Ruggers'
season to this point.
(Photo on left): Kevin McCorry feeds Evan Meister for the Bonnies’ first try against
Army
Match Recaps in Two
Sentences
SBU @ UB: With
Alex Brussard leading the way, and energetic Bonnies side clinically beat the
UB Bulls. The Bonnies didn’t do anything too exciting, but a season opening win
on Alumni Weekend offered some early-season excitement.
SBU v Brockport:
The sizable Doggies applied immense pressure to the Bonnies scrum, helping the
visitors take and early 14-3 lead when Evan Meister and Tom Tyler were knocked
out of the game. Some key defensive plays and runs from the backline finally
got the home team on the front foot, and SBU gutted out the victory 29-19
SBU @ Binghamton: Again
starting slowly, missed tackles and penalties allowed the host Devils to take
an 8-7 first half lead. Although the Bonnies would challenge throughout, they
never put it all together in a disappointing 25-21 loss.
SBU v Army: The
Bonnies got off to a fast start, with big plays from John Sullivan, Evan
Meister and the forward pack. Penalties and inaccurate lineouts hurt the home
team in the second half, and Army kicked a penalty goal with two-minutes left
to finish the match 15-15.
Biggest Surprise of
the First Half
Freshman prop Zach Haller leading the team with three tries
through four matches. The McQuaid Jesuit-product also has a Developmental Side
try, giving him a touch-down in every match he has started in Brown &
White.
(Photo on left): Zach Haller dotting down has become a familiar
site for the Bonnies.
Biggest
Disappointment of the First Half
In a shocking turn of events, Brussard missed three matches
for an alleged stomping incident, much disputed by outside observers. The 2011
All-Empire selection had been the best player on the field against Buffalo and
was missed during his three matches on the sideline. In his absence, however,
Zach Haller and A.J. Vitanza emerged as future A side stalwarts, while Evan
Meister and others solidified themselves as team leaders.
Class Updates
Seniors: With
Brussard sidelined, seniors Jon Garbin, Tim Hanna and Kevin McCorry have
provided the bulk of experience to the A side. McCorry had a stop-start beginning
to his season, but played his best match against Army. Garbin and Hanna have
been their usual steady selves, providing loads of tackles, runs and rucks-won.
Juniors: With a
small senior class, the juniors have been forced into a leadership position.
Justin Walker and Tallon Moritz have led in that department, putting in
spectacular efforts against Binghamton and Army. Tom Tyler and Ryan Brennan
have battled injuries but are primed for big second halves. Craig Adams and Tim
Callahan have emerges as key members or the reserve unit, and will be needed as
the weather turns cold and matches become more physical. In the backline, Kevin
Corley and Andrew Metoyer have split playing time, with both veterans showing
flashes of strong play.
Sophomores: Led
by Evan Meister and John Sullivan, the Super Sophs have provided a good deal of
big plays for the Bonnies. Meister made key defensive plays and scored the
opening try against Army, while John Sullivan has been the team’s go-to
attacker in the backline thus far. Greg Johnson has been valuable in lineouts,
but will look to make a larger impact around the pitch. A.J. Vitanza and Hayden
Bell have emerged as very capable forwards in their second year of rugby. Vitanza
earned notoriety for his play in the scrum against Army. In the backline,
transfer Justice Koonce has started every match in the centers and is a leading
tackler and ball poacher. Shea Raff is also working into form, and has a start
at both fly half and center.
Freshmen: Like
the Sophomores, the new guys have been forced into service early, and have
risen to the challenge. Leading try-scorer Haller had trouble with scrums in
his first two starts, but came into his own against Army. Pat Hogan has started
every match at the left wing spot, scoring a try against Binghamton. Charles
Meagher was named Man of the Match against Brockport, and scored a try against
Binghamton as well. Dan Dillon scored a big try against Brockport. Brendan
Allman, Jordan Farrant and Brian Theiss are also pushing for A side minutes,
with several other forwards close behind.
Leading Scorers (A
Side)
Kevin McCorry: 7-13
on conversions; 4-6 on penalties; 26 points
Zach Haller: 3 tries;
15 points
Alex Brussard, Kevin
Corley, Dan Dillon, Tim Hanna, Pat Hogan, Charles Meagher, Evan Meister, Tallon
Moritz, John Sullivan, Justin Walker: 1 try; 5 points
(Photo above): Kevin McCorry slots three of his team leading 26 points against Brockport.
Leading Scorers
(Developmental Side)
Anthony Shoff: 2
tries; 10 points
Shea Raff: 1 try;
2-4 on conversions; 9 points
Craig Adams, Brendan
Allman, Jordan Farrant, Zach Haller, Steve Kuzara: 1 try; 5 points
Remaining Schedule
October 13, 7:00 pm:
SBU @ Fordham University
October 20, 1:00 pm: SBU
v Syracuse University
October 26, 8:30 pm: SBU
@ Stony Brook University
October 28, 1:00 pm: SBU
@ U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
November 3, 1:00 pm: SBU
v Rutgers University
November 10, 1:00 pm:
SBU v Iona College