Rugby beats Iowa
Saturday's game was the first for the club team this season.
Published Sept. 11, 2007
Saturday marked the first victory of the 2007 season for Mizzou Men's Rugby team.
After winning 36-15 against the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, rugby team Vice President Ben Harrison said he was pleased with the team's first game performance.
"Tackling was solid, the back line was solid, Northern Iowa just wasn't able to break through," Harrison said.
Coach Matt Moore said he expected a win because of the number of players and amount of experience on the team.
"Our biggest strength is our depth," Moore said.
According to the 2006-2007 season roster, the team has over 35 players representing every grade level.
Highlights of Saturday's game included an interception by backs captain Scott Smith.
"I timed it right and just picked it off and ran it, I think, 80 meters," Smith said.
Equally notable were the three goals scored in the final 12 minutes of the game.
"We were up by two in the last 12 minutes, and then we just scored like, bang, bang, bang," Smith said.
Mizzou's rugby team is ranked No. 13 in Division Two, while Northern Iowa is a Division One team.
"Northern Iowa has a solid squad," Harrison said.
After its second place finish at the West Collegiate Championships last year, the team has confidence in its performance this year.
"We'll be every bit as good as we were last spring, if not better," Moore said.
This season, MU faces schools including the University of Missouri-Rolla, Washington University and Truman State. Last year they defeated each of those teams.
The Tigers' next home game is against Truman State University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15.