back to archives

 

 

1       March 25, 2000

 

Oneonta , NY - The University at Albany Men’s Rugby Club was defeated by the Oneonta State

Rebels 51-11 on Saturday, 3/25/00.  The Albany club led  the defending NYSRC 2nd division champs at the half 11-8.  Albany played a tight controlled game featuring #8 Justin Longobardi going weak side with new scrum half Ben Kilpatrick. Albany played in Oneonta’s half for 35 minutes  in which Longobardi converted two penalty attempts and scored in the corner on a short drive off a rolling maul. 

The second half took it’s toll on the young Albany side, which had three first game starters-Props- Dease and Donato and  scrum half Ben Kilpatrick taking over for Fall captain John Seddo who left school.  Oneonta featured a hard charging inside center who set up good ruck ball for the forwards who then ruked through three phases before exploiting the overload.  Albany’s inexperience in adapting to the referee caused 15 plus penalties in the second half for off sides and high tackles. 

 

The Albany B side, in their first match in over a year, lost to Oneonta B’s 21-0.  The B’s featured 8 rookies in their first collegiate rugby match.  The B side’s effort and physical skill was apparent, but lack of experience hurt the squad. 

 

Albany Notes: The club takes on Paul Smith College at Intramural Field this Saturday at 1:00pm.  The club’s recruitment efforts are paying off with 25 making the trip on Saturday and .35 active, full time players on the roster.  Only 5 players of which are juniors or seniors.   

 

 Albany Roster  vs. Oneonta State Rebels

1.        Mike Dease

2.        Ed Onkanspol

3.        Tom Donato

4.        Mike Rotzler

5.        John Bockwoldt

6.        Jason Krause**

7.        Joe Attonito

8.        Justin Longobardi

9.        Ben Kilpatrick*

10.     Marty Mahoney

11.     Jay Radez

12.     Christian Balzano

13.     Jeff Dideo

14.     Blake Estraborn

15.     Nick LaBella

Subs -* Kevin Patton, **Jeremy Lopuch

 

 

April 1, 2000

 

Albany, NY- Union College defeated UAlbany ,5-0  in a men’s rugby match at Intramural Field on the University at Albany Campus Saturday. The Albany Men started out strong controlling in the play for the first 10 minutes of the half.  However, penalties and a persistent Union attack swayed the momentum.  Union controlled the set pieces and line outs, but was unable to capitalize due to poor handling in the backs.  They finally scored late in the first half.  A strong kick and chase by the Union Fly half resulted in a line out 5 meters out from the Albany goal.  Union took control of the jump and rolled it in for a score awarded to their pack.   The second half was very even with Albany attacking late in the half, but Union’s stiff defense coupled with Albany’s lack of ball retention enabled Union to preserve the victory. 

 

Union won the B match 17-0.

 

Albany notes:  Albany plays in the President’s Cup at Lincoln Park in Albany on Saturday, April 8th.  Albany’s first match will be against long time rival, Siena College at 10:00am The winner will go on to meet the winner of RPI/Union match.  Loser will play the loser of that same match. Albany had a trainer at the match from Sports Therapy - Albany.  The club has acquired their services for all home and local matchs. 

 

 Albany Roster  vs. Union College

1.        Ed Onkaspol **

2.        Jason Keaneteneyck

3.        Mike Dease

4.        Mike Rotzler*

5.        John Bockwoldt

6.        Jason Krause

7.        Joe Attonito

8.        Justin Longobardi

9.        Ben Kilpatrick

10.     Marty Mahoney

11.     Blake Estrabonn

12.     Jeff Dideo

13.     Christian Balzano

14.     Nick LaBella

15.     John Hewitt

Subs - * Bryan Haber , ** Tom Donato

 

April 8, 2000

 

Albany, NY- The UAlbany men went 0-2 this weekend at the President’s Cup Tournament.  The first match was against arch rival Siena College. Albany came out strong and controlled the first 10minutes of the game with some good forward play.  Siena was able to capitalize on some strong strategic kicks that pinned Albany deep in their end.  Siena forwards rolled in  from 10 meters out off line out ball to take a 7-0 half time lead. 

The second half was all Siena.  Siena’s experienced inside center took control of the game, strategically kicking off of Albany penalties and with hard crashes to set up Siena’s forwards.  Final score was 29-0. 

Albany second match was vs. Union College (u 14- albany5).  The rematch of the two teams, which played a week earlier, proved to be an even contest throughout. Union struck first off a long counter attack  by their full back to 15 meters from the Albany line.  The scrum down led to crash ball and off 2nd phase they scored with their winger in the corner.  Albany came back to tie with a score by #8 Justin Longobardi of off a ruck.  Marty Mahoney set up play with some good kicks to space.  Albany failed to convert the try.  Union scored off a long break by their #8 to a streaking center who scored under the posts. 

Albany recap - The squad played very well despite the records.  Their ruck ball improved greatly as well as line out and scrum play.  Defense was good , despite the scores.  Albany needs to improve on linking phases and putting more constant pressure on the opposition.  Albany was able to get some valuable A side experience from 6 of it’s newer members, all of whom performed well despite their lack of experience. Albany was with out two of it’s props due to sickness  and the outside center do to sickness. 

Albany notes:  Albany is entered into Albany Law School’s Watkin’s Tournament. The competition will be stiff - many men’s clubs, but it will expose the team to a high level of play.      

 

April 15, 2000

 

 

 

Club Notches First Win of Season

 

Albany, NY - The University at Albany Men’s Rugby Club went 1-1 in this past weekend’s Watkins Cup tournament hosted by Albany Law School.  In the first match ,UAlbany /Albany Law, UAlbany came out strong and played most of the match in their opponents half.  A Law School penalty early in the half  was converted by Justin Longobardi to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.  Albany held the lead untill late in the match when after repeated attacks the Law School finally punched one over after a five meter scrum.  With time running out UAlbany went for broke and an misplayed all ended up in a long break away score as time ran out.  Final Albany Law 12-Ualbany 3.

The second match brought the team uptown from Lincoln Park to the Law School campus to play a consolation match Vs. Albany Law School Alumni.  UAlbany dominated the match with superior forward play.  Ben Kilpatrick, moving from scrum - half to stand off, provided offensive spark with some long breaks up the middle.  Kilpatrick scored twice. No. 8 Justin  Longobardi converted 3 penalty attempts.  Albany went on to win the match 16-5.

The Albany Knickerbocker Old Boys (over 35’s) defeated Albany Law School in the finals 32-5.  UAlbany  Alums; Bruce Szelest, Adam Shaw and John Durant as well as Purple Haze standouts Mike Jones and Mike Justice all played for the victors.  Former UAlbany captain, Doug Henry played for the runner-ups. 

Albany Notes- Albany has next week off and will look to put a winning streak together.  Albany was able to get valuable experience this weekend out of the freshman.  The Lynbrook High connection of Tom Donato,  Bill Kramme , John Hewitt and Mike Dease as well as Xavier’s Justin Duffell all played exceptional rugby. Last year’ co-captain, Matt Bernstein returned off the injured list to provide some experience in the tight five.   Only Three weeks until Rugby Weekend 2000, 5/6-5/7. 

 

UAlbany Rugby Opens With Colgate University

 

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany Men’s Rugby Club opens the season this Saturday in Hamilton, N.Y. against the Red Raiders of Colgate University in a New York State Rugby Conference match. Colgate returns a strong  nucleus of the team that finished with a 6-1 record last fall, losing only to league champion Potsdam State.  Captain Bart Larmouth squad is hoping to challenge for the title again this year.

 

Albany is looking to build on last years strong finish with wins over Hartwick College, Paul Smith College and Albany Law School.  The team is led by Sr. Captain Joe Attunito, So. flanker Jason Krause and So. Lock Justin Longobardi.  The scrum’s depth will be the key this year .  Albany scrum coach Pete Zilgme has 15 experienced players capable of playing on the first side to choose from. 

 

Head coach John Durant is depending on incoming freshman Devan McGrath of Xavier High School and Jonathon Menashi of New Rochelle High, both with four years of high scholl rugby experience,  to bolster a back line that lost fly half Martin Mahoney and winger Christian Balzano to graduation.  Jay Radez will inherit the fly half position with McGrath and Menashi at Centers.  Nick LaBella will provide an  outside scoring threat with his fills from the full back position. The backs are coached this year by Grant Lewis, a South African here playing with the Albany Knickerbocker R.F.C.

 

Albany will play home and home with Colgate University , Paul Smith College , Postsdam State University

and finishing with Berkshire R.F.C. of the New England Rugby Union .

 

Hamilton, N.Y. - Colgate Men’s Rugby Club defeated UAlbany R.F.C. 46-5 in an New York State Rugby Conference Excelsior division match this past Saturday.  The  opportunistic Colgate side capitalized on numerous Albany mistakes to charge to victory.

 

Colgate attacked Albany’ s inexperienced back line with strategically placed high balls to the back  three.  The pressure on the first time players was too great.  Albany mis-played 5 of the kicks which led directly to Colgate scores. Colgate outside center Bart Larmouth led gate with three scores.

 

Albany’s controlled the majority of play, out rucking their opponents winning 21 of the 27 rucks set as opposed to Colgate wining 3 of their 6 set.  Albany flanker Joe Attunito’s hard charges got Albany going forward with Ed Onkanspol and Brian Sullivan adding to the rough mix.  Scrum half Kevin Patton was Albany’s lone scorer with a try off a driving maul early in the first half.

 

Stats for 9-16 vs. Colgate

Albany scrums, won 6 of 11, Colgate 8/9, Albany line outs 8/13, Gate 5/6, Albany Rucks/mauls 21/27, Gate 3/6, Albany Penalties 12, Gate 7, Final score Gate 46 Albany 5   

 

Albany notes:  Albany looks to rebound this Saturday as it takes on defending Excelsior division  champion SUNY Potsdam, 1:00 PM at the Intramural Field on the UAlbany campus. Albany’s attack should be bolstered by the return of Mike Dease , Tom Donato and Jason Krause to the pack who missed last week do to family commitments. LaBella , McGrath , Bernstein, Annunziato, Sullivan, Keanetyck, Bernstein, Patton are all questionable for Sataurday because of injuries.  Albany lost a close scrimmage 10-0 to Union College last Wednesday. 

 

Albany Rips Postsdam

 

Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany Rugby Club defeated the S.U.N.Y. Potsdam Polecats Rugby Club 24-13 in a New York State Rugby Conference Excelsior division match at Albany’s intramural field. 

 

Albany evened it’s record to 1-1 by grinding down the Polecat defense with Albany’s powerful forwards.  Albany won 60 of 72 offensive rucks and 64 of the 82 rucks set for the game.  This grinding attack led to all of Albany’s scores.  The first of which came off of a fifth phase attack in which fly half Jay Radez split two defenders to dive in from 3 meters out.  Albany #8, Justin Longobardi, barreled in shortly after from 10 meters.  Albany finished off the first half scoring with scrum half Kevin Patton taking a quick tap off  a Potsdam penalty to scamper 15 meters with seconds remaining in the half. 

 

Potsdam came out more determined for the start second half.  %minutes in to the Pootsdam scrum half Chris Ackley took the ball short side off of the scrum and scampered 35 meters for a score in which he converted.  10 minutes later Potsdam #8 Dan Burke rumbled in for a score on a short burst of maul ball.  Albany then countered with 3 Longobardi  penalty kicks, with a long of 38 meters, to ice the victory for the home team.

In the second game of the day Albany “B” hosted R.P.I. “B”.  The more experience R.P.I. side took full advantage of Albany’s inexperience to roll easily to a 49 - 5 win.  Albany “B” captain, Matt Bernstien, was Albany’s lone scorer when he crashed in from his #8 position. 

 

Albany Notes: Albany takes on Paul Smith College at Dick Green Memorial Field at 11:30 AM on Saturday.  Game is before the Albany Knicks - Irish Wolfounds match.

 

 

9/30/00            Paul Smith Holds on to Nip Albany

 

Albany, N.Y.- Paul Smith College edged UAlbany R.F.C 14-12 at Dick green Memorial Field Saturday in a New York State Rugby Conference match.  Paul Smith scored two times in the first half to take a 14-0 halftime lead.  The first score coming off of nice back play in which #9 Jim Burns raced in to the corner for the score.  He again followed with a long break out of a ruck to score from mid-field to give them the edge at the half.  Albany's lone scoring chance late in the half faltered when Justin Longobardi's penatly from 20 meters kick failed to clear the posts.

 

The second half was all Albany.  Albany scored early with a 4th phase play in which fly half  Jay Radez  dove in to the left corner.  Longobardi's conversion attempt sailed left.  Albany followed with another score 25 minutes later with Longobardi diving in from about 10 meters.  He made the conversion.  Albany had a couple of close bursts at the end of the contest two untimely penalties for backs not back 10 meters off the line-out proved costly.

 

Albany notes:  Albany travels to Paul Smith this Saturday for a rematch.  Albany's will rely on a very young back line this weekend due to injuries.  Fullback Blake Estraborn is the only upperclassmen in the line up.  Albany "B" lost to Union "A" 15-0 Wednesday night in a scrimmage at Union. The scrimmage enabled some of Albany's young inexperienced players to get some valuable playing time.

 

Paul Smith Rugby Sweeps Albany in Season Series

 

 

Gabriel, N.Y. - Paul Smith College Rugby  swept the home and home series with UAlbany Rugby  with a 43-8 victory this past Saturday in Gabriel, N.Y., a small town outside of Saranac Lake, N.Y.  Paul Smith’s started the match of with a 7-0 lead after Abany was  given a penalty by referee Andy McDowell for not being able to start  the game at the scheduled 1:00PM kickoff do to transportation problems.  Albany managed to keep the game close at half being down 17-3.  The lone Albany score came off a Justin Longobardi penalty kick.

 

The second half was all Paul Smith.  They took advantage of Albany’s inexperience, a side which started a first game scrumhalf and flyhalf.  As a result Paul Smith’s defense pressured these skilled positions in to numerous mistakes and countered off them.  Again Paul Smith #9 burns had a big game leading the P.S.C. Attack.

 

Albany Notes:  Albany takes on undefeated Colgate University on Saturday at Dick Green Memorial Field in Albany.  Albany is in the midst of a aggressive fund raising campaign as the school’s student association will not be funding the team this season.  The student association is heavily in debt and is restructuring.  For info on how you can contribute, call John Durant at 447-7678 or reply via e-mail. Albany’s remaining games are; 10/21 vs. SUNY Potsdam, 10/28 vs. Berkshire Rugby Club (Dick Green Memorial Field). 

 

10/14/00 Albany 5 - ‘Gate 14 7</b></P>

<p><font face=" Ariel"><b><font size="1" color="black"><b><i>By Staff Writer John Lubowsky, Albany, NY - </i></b> - The Colgate University Rugby Club remained undefeated by topping the UAlbany R.F.C 14-5 at Dick Green Memorial Field.  Gate scored on two long strikes, one coming in the closing minutes to escape with the victory.  Colgate record improved to 5-0 by relying on the quick strike from their quick back line.   Gate’s first score came off a break in the lineout in which #8 Bart Larmouth fed Paul Jones for a score down the side line for a 7-0 halftime advantage.

<br>

The second half play was controlled by Albany which held possession of the ball for 30min of the 40min. half.  Albany scored when lock Tom Donato sprung loose of a ruck ball to rumble 20 meters before dishing the ball off to  winger J. R. Ranai for a score under the posts.  Prop Brian Sullivan’s conversion attempt sailed wide of the post.  Albany kept the pressure on plying in the opponents half but was unable to get past the stiff Colgate goal line defense.  Once again untimely Albany penalties secured the victory for the opposition.  Colgate gained 40meters off a penalty kick late in the match and converted it in to a try off the following line out to seal the game with 3 min. remaining.

<br>

<B>Albany Notes:</B> Albany (1 -4) travels to SUNY Potsdam (0-4) this Saturday for their final NYS Rugby Conference match of the season. Albany closes it’s 15’s season on the 28th at home against the Berkshire Rugby Club.  Albany is continuing it’s emergency fund raising campaign and sponsorship drive due to the loss of Student Association funding .  Anyone interested in contributing can contact John Durant at 518-447-7678 for details or reply via e-mail. 

</font></p>

 

Potsdam 55-Albany 10

 

Potsdam, N.Y. - The Potsdam Polecats degeated the UAlbany Rugby Club in their  final New York state Rugby Conference match of the season.  The game remained close for the first 20 min until freshman flanker Gary Schonfield broke his ankle after being tackled by a pack of Potsdam defenders after a long break.  Potsdam was ahead 5-0 at the point of injury.  After the 30min break, Potsdam swarmed the undermanned Albany side with 4 first half tries to lead 20-0 at the half. 

The second half was all Potsdam. They added 5 scores for a final of 55-10. Albany managed to score  two  late, the first by wing Ethan Knieict who was fed by lock Mke Rotzler to score in the corner and Joe Atinitto powered in from a few meters out. 

 

Albany Notes:  Albany closes out the fall season against New England Men’s Div 3  Berkshire R.F.C. on Saturday. The game will be Albany’s homecoming and will be played at Dick Green Memorial Field. 

Albany will begin 7’s practice in preparation for the NY 7’s Tournament held on Randall’s Island in NYC on November 25th. The team will participate in a charity fund raising event at the Crossgates Mall in Albany to raise money for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY on Friday, December 1st. 

Emergency fund  raising efforts for the team are still on to pay for bills this season after the loss of Student Association funds.  Any support would be greatly appreciated.  Contact us via e-mail or call John D. for more info. 

 

Berkshire R.F.C. 49- Albany 0

 

Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany  Rugby Football Club wrapped up it’s fall season against New England Men’s Div 3(Club) Berkshire.  The playoff bound Berkshire Club dominated the match from start to finish.   Albany’s forwards hung in tough but Albany’s back line was no match against the larger more,   experienced opponent.

 

Albany Notes:  Albany will participate in the New York 7’s on November 25th. If you are at the tournament, stop by and say hello to the squad.  Jerry Mirro of the Long Island Rugby Club will be helping the side out at the tournament. Jerry’s son Matt is a freshman back on this years squad.  Albany assistant coach, Grant Elliot, returns to South Africa next week.  Grant was a big help in laying the foundation for the club’s young back line. 

 

The Code Red  fund raising campaign update :  Special thanks to those who have already donated to the club.  For more info. on how you can help, call John D. at 518-447-7678. 

 

back to archives