UAlbany Rugby Archives 2006

Fall 2006

Danes Fall in NRU playoffs to UMAine, 16 - 18.

By John Lubowsky
Albany,NY - The Danes[NRU #4seed] lost a tough one to UMaine [NRU #5seed] in the Northeast Rugby Union Playoffs 16 -18. Playing before a huge crowd of alumni, family and fans, the Dane's played inspired rugby. Albany's forwards churned out 37 first half rucks and mauls against a much larger pack. Albany's diligence was rewarded with 2 penalty kicks by senior center Matt Garrick. UMaine would counter late in the half with a 75 meter break away try by center Stefan Starls to pull UMaine to within one at the half, 6-5.
Albany used the momentum of the second half kick off to pound their way down field. Albany kept attacking but was stopped by the stingy UMaine defense. Albany would settle for another Garrick penalty kick. UMaine would, bolstered by Albany penalties, shifted the momentum scoring 13 consecutive points off 2 penalty kicks and a converted try. Albany did not give up with lock Alex Hulme scoring in the corner and Garrick converting to pull Albany within 2. Albany kept the pressure up and was awarede one last penalty attempt. Garrik's kick from just inside the Maine 40 meter mark fell just short as time ran out.
UMaine will travel to Batavia, NY to play Middlebury College in a final 4 match up. The semifinalists are the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Vassar College.

Danes NYSRC Champs, Albany 25 -Genesseo 12.

By John Lubowsky
Canton,NY - The Danes(8-0,7-0) captured the New York State Rugby Conference Championship with a 25 - 12 win over SUNY Genesseo, Both teams faced tough conditions playing in low 40 degree temperature and a driving rain that turned the field into quagmire. Genesseo struck first chasing down a long clearing kick and scoring off the ensuing ruck. After that it was all Albany. Albany's pack turned nearly every scrum down into Albany ball. Albany would score off two Matt Garrick penalty kicks in front of the posts to get Albany on the board and in front 6-5. Albany's Bruno scored late in the half in the far corner to put Albany up 11-5 at the half.
Albany continued pressure coming from the pack and close back play would result in scores by hooker Joe Szalay and prop Parker Smith which Garrick converted on both giving him 10 points on the day. Genesseo scored a late desperation try to finish all scoring.
NYSRC College V.P., Fred Bressette, awarded Albany captains Joe Szalay and Frank Adams with the trophy and presented lock Alex Hulme with the player of the match award. Albany hosts the University of Maine this Saturday at 1:00pm in the first round of the Northeast Rugby Union Championship.

Danes Out Gun Fredonia, Albany 41 -Fredonia 27.

By John Lubowsky
Albany,NY - The Danes(7-0,6-0) qualified for the New York State Rugby Conference D2 Finals with a 41 - 21 win over Fredonia State (5-2). Fredonia came out charged up putting up a quick 3 from an Albany penalty and an unconverted try to go 10- 0 in the first 15min. Albany got going with tries from prop Parker Smith,Captain Frank Adams and lock James Wrynn. By the end of the first half Albany's powerful pack began to wear down the Fredonia pack. Albany won all 12 of their scrums and took 6 of fredonia's while pushing them back on the remaining scrums.
The second half was a see saw battle with both teams trading scores. Smith, Rabideau, Mitchell and Mink would all score second half tries. The Danes compensated well for missing their two leading scorers , Bruno (80 points),hamstring and Garrick(60points), military commitment. Coach Durant commented "I was pleased the way we stepped up today. Joe Heaney had a huge game while freshman Anrew Lavaia filled in and gave us solid play on the wing."
The Danes travel to Canton, NY for the championships Saturday to play Genesseo, who beat Union College 61-17.

Danes Take NYSRC Empire East Crown, Albany 22 -Colgate 12.

By John Lubowsky
Hamilton, NY - The Danes captured the New York State Rugby Conference Empire East crown by defeating Colgate, 22-12. The Dane's scred quickly in the first 5 min of the game when 8 man Bill Bruno broke from a scrum and fed Philip Ayoreh for a score. At the 10 min. mark Bruno took a quick tap penalty and broke through the 'Gate defense which Matt Garrick converted, to give the Albany the 17 - 0 halftime lead.

Colgate's John Powers dove in for a score in the corner off of ruck ball to keep 'Gate in the game. Albany would answer with to tries from captain Frank Adams playing the 8 man position for the injured Bruno. Phil Illucci would finish off the Albany scoring. "Gate held tough and scored a late try by Prop John Backlowsky.

The Albany "B" side has shown marked improvement over the past 2 weeks but still losing 34-32 to 'Gates second side. Albany will host a first round NYSRC playoff game this Saturday at 1:00pm against the yet to be determined #2 seed from the Empire West Division.

Danes Topple Union College, 46-19.

By John Lubowsky
Albany,NY - The Danes stand alone atop of the New York State Rugby Conference's Empire East Division with at 46 - 19 win over previously unbeaten Union College. 8 man Bill Bruno once again scored 3 tries [75 points for the season to date] while fullback Dave Mink scored 2 to lead the Dane's powerful offensive attack. Albany churned out 75 of 79 rucks against a tough Union defense.
Albany's tough defense was led by Frank Adams 5 tackles. Albany limited Union to just 24 rucks, 1/4 of Albany's total. Albany's defense has yeiled 57 points over 5 games an average of 11.4 while scoring 48 points per game average [240 points total].
Albany 2nd XV take on RPI "A" this Wed. Albany 1st/2nds travel to Hamilton, NY to face Colgate who is currently in 2nd place 4 points behind Albany. 11:00AM kick off.

Danes Thump Rival Siena College, 52-7.

By John Lubowsky
Albany,NY - The Danes remain undefeated after defeating cross town rivals, Siena College, 52-7 in A New York State Rugby Conference game held at Dick Green Field. Albany was bolstered by 8 man Bill Bruno's 4 first half tries. Garrick, Hulme, Adams and O'Hara also scored tries while Garrick made 2 penalty goals and converted two tries.
Albany pounded Siena inside converting 55/61 rucks and then spun the ball to space to create scoring opportunities. Albany' pack won 6/7 scrums for a total of 31/34 for the season. Albany is now narrowly in first place in the Empire East Division standings with 2 additional bonus points to lead undefeated Union College.
Albany takes on Union College this Sunday at home in a battle for sole possession of first place. The Dane's 2nd XV travel to Bennington, VT to take on Southern Vermont on Wednesday before playing with the 1st XV against Union.

Danes Pound LeMoyne, 51-9.

By Peter Faherty

Albany, NY - The UAlbany Men’s Rugby team overcame a 19 to 5 penalty disadvantage and continued their impressive winning streak Saturday defeating LeMoyne College from Syracuse, NY 51-9. Senior 8 Man added three tries to his career scoring total while the defense led by Captain Frank Adams held LeMoyne to three converted penalty kicks. The pack added it's 4th pushover try of the season and has dominated scrums in the first 3 games. Sophomore lock James Wrynn scored for the first time with additional tries coming from center Mike DePrisco and winger Dave Mink. Matt Garrick converted 6 kicks and an additional penalty kick. Flyhalf Phillip Ayoreh (Kenya) finished off the Danes’ offensive explosion with a 70 meter cherry pick try. The Danes now stand atop their division at 2-0 and appear to be in the driver’s seat as they head to Loudonville, NY to take on archrival Siena next week.

Spring 2006

Danes Regain Form, Beat 'Cuse.

04/22/06 Albany 29 - Syracuse U. 3

By John Lubowsky -

UAlbany, NY - Danes regained the winning form against Syracuse University, 29-3. Albany relied on the pack for all of the games tries both Bill Bruno and Josh Salisbury each scoring 2 tries. Albany's back line played aggressive on offense and limited space for the SU backs.

Danes fall to Union ,In CDRL Contest.

04/19/06 Albany 7 - Union College 12

By John Lubowsky -

Schenectady, NY - Danes drop game to Union in second round of the Capital District Rugby League. Union scored on a long clearing kick that ualbany failed to touch down for a 22 meter. Union then scored late in the first half off a maul deep in Albany territory. Albany controlled play all day but could only muster one score and conversion by Matt Garrick.

Rain,Hail,Mud

04/08/06 Big Apple Tournament

By John Lubowsky -

NY,NY-The Danes played tough against NERFU perenial contender University of Rhode Island. Trialing 10-5 at the half UAlbany toiled against the wind chasing down URI clearing kicks. IRI punched in a couple more to seal the game. Albany then took on Rhode Island College as weather conditions deteriorated changing from raing to hail. RIC size combined with Albany's lack of intensity resulted in a 5- 0 loss. Albany then made sure all got quality playing time vs. New Paltz. Albany played tougher than the 31-0 score idndicates. For 4 of the Albany players it was the first time they have played in a game.

Between the RIC and New Paltz games Albany Rugby presented a placque in honor of former Albany Rugby playerand alumnus Anthony"Flash" Pettolina who had passed away in early March.

Danes Best Siena in CDRL Opener

04/05/06 Albany 21 - Siena College 0

By John Lubowsky -

Loudonville,NY-The Danes easily handled Siena College, 21-0, in a Capital District Rugby League game on the Siena campus. Bill Bruno scored 2 tries and Wagner Samaniego added 1. Matt Garrick converted all 3 tries and missed an attempted drop goal.

The Dane's used their strength in the pack to disrupt the Siena defense. Bruno's scores both were the result of attacks from Albany Scrums. Coach Durant stated "We played a very efficiant game today. Garrick read most of his keys correctly and that enabled us to keep the pressure on Siena." Frank Adams led Albany with 7 tackles with Wagner Samaniego chipping in 5 in the short half (20min.per half) game.

Danes Top Iona in Opener

03/25/06 Albany 18 - Coast Guard 10

By Pete Faherty -

New Rochelle, NY – The UAlbany Great Danes Men’s Rugby Team opened its season this past Saturday playing visitors to host Iona College. The first game of the season is always a tough test and was made even tougher with the debut of new players at key positions. Freshman Mike DePrisco filled in admirably at Flyhalf, leading the veteran back line, and Freshman Zach Stoll entered the game mid-way through the second half for an injured Asif Kumandan. Seniors Sergio Lopez and Josh Salisbury also got their first taste of the starting lineup and were strong additions to an already strong front eight.

Junior #8 Bill Bruno didn’t seem to have any trouble getting back into the swing of things scoring all three tries for Albany in the match. Flanker Joseph DeMartines, filling in as goal kicker missed on his conversions but did add three to the score with a penalty kick in the first half.

Division 1 Met NY ‘s Iona proved to be a tough match up with very little known about the team beforehand. Overall the Danes played good defense led by Captain Frank Adams’ thirteen tackles and also went a perfect 15 for 15 on their lineouts, while also stealing half of Iona’s.

The Danes will host Western Connecticut next Saturday at 1:00pm for a match against a New England Rugby Union perennial contender.