PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Franciscan rugby team avenged a loss to Carnegie Mellon last week as the ruggers defeated the Tartans, 17-12, in the opening round of the 3RRC playoffs, Friday night.
"We definitely played better last night than we did in our last game against Carnegie Mellon," remarked head coach Dan Kramer. "Our tackling and our grit really won us the game. There were periods of really great rugby and periods of ugly rugby but our great rugby came out on top today."
Senior Luke Planchet was named the Man of the Match last night for his tenaciousness on defense. He played great defense and had excellent tackling that saved the Barons a few times.
"Along with Luke, David Prezzia, James Weiss and Josh Leatherby really played great rugby last night for us," continued coach Kramer. Weiss and Prezzia, along with senior Jimmy Keuber accounted for the Barons' three tries.
Senior Ben Erste converted one of the three conversion kicks, and as coach Kramer put it, "we could not have made his kicks any harder."
Matt Reese came in as a flank and really sured-up the defense with his tackling for the Barons.
Carnegie Mellon scored its first try of the game with about 10 minutes left in the first and held on to the 5-0 lead at half time.
"There were times we played not with a sense of urgency but almost frantically; something we can improve going into the 3RRC championship. We played to get our offense back on the field but not in a way that's true to Baron rugby. Both players and coaches have things to work on going into the championship game. We need to play with urgency and not frantic and continue to play our rugby."
Down 5-0, the Barons scored twice to take a 12-5 lead. The Tartans answered with a try of their own to cut the lead to two points, 12-10, but the Barons finished out the scoring with a final try.
"It was almost the exactly opposite of the last game with them. We went in last week down, this week we were down and we scored three tries they answered us with one. The last ten minutes of the game, it was a nail biter as they almost punched it in. We have a lot of respect for CMU's team and coaching staff and the tenacity they played with all game long."
"We opened up conference play against softer teams, since our week five loss, we have been playing some really tough, gritty teams. That's the answer to beating RMU, buckle down and focus and make our tackles. Robert Morris really had a dominant forward pack and if we can match them in the pack, the back line can go toe to toe with them. "
The Barons will play for the 3RRC championship next weekend.
