53 years of Michigan Rugby
The first half was forgettable. And then the Michigan men’s rugby team came alive, but the Wolverines had no response for a final push by the Olde Boys and lost, 29-22.
The Olde Boys — most of whom were members of the 2007 Midwest Championship squad — took a commanding lead early, scoring three tries and two conversions to go up 19-0. Eddie Schehr put points on the board early for the Olde Boys with a try in the third minute of play, and Aaron Dodd followed up with another try and conversion in the 16th minute. Tyler Richtsmeier tacked on the third try for the Olde Boys in the 31st minute.
Trouble in the ruck and line-out made possession hard to come by for the college side. They only had a few chances for scoring. Their best off of a Dave Hiltzik break but the pass to Evan Rourke was knocked forward.
Dave Hiltzik breaks with Evan Rourke in support
Looking for momentum going into halftime, Grady Bridges decided to kick for points and converted a penalty in the final minute of the first half. The Wolverines went into half down, 19-3.
A few substitutions at halftime added to Michigan’s momentum — within the first three minutes of the second half, the Wolverines drove downfield. Christian Mentzer topped off the possession with a try from an Ian Etheart quick tap, and a converted kick by Bridges pulled Michigan within nine points.
Mentzer headed in for his first try
After being pinned in their own end for more than 10 minutes, the Wolverines finally broke out. Joel Conzelmann received the ball in the try zone and took it the majority of the length of the field before dishing it to Mentzer for his second try which Bridges converted.
A strong U of M scrum holds possession
And just two minutes later, the Wolverines took the lead when Dave Hiltzik scored the third unanswered try for UMRFC in the second half. Hiltzik’s try was set up with a nice run from Sequoyah Burke-Combs, but Bridges missed the conversion as the ball blew off of the tee, putting Michigan up 22-19.
Michigan’s momentum was cut short when the Olde Boys converted a penalty kick to tie the game and two minutes later took the lead with a try from Tobi Eboda and conversion by Aaron Dodd. UMRFC had five minutes to respond, but failed to do so thanks to a series of mistakes highlighted by missed lineouts. The Wolverines look to rebound in its first game in the newly-formed Big Ten Rugby Conference as they take on Michigan State in East Lansing on the 22nd at 12:00pm.
1. Brennan Arnett
2. Evan Rourke (Melgren 40′)
3. Nic Bishar
4. Matt Pilon (Van Harn 41′)
5. Drew Vecchio
6. Dave Hiltzik
7. Kenny Andutan
8. Mike LaCivita
9. Ian Etheart
10. Grady Bridges
11. Sequoyah Burke-Combs
12. Christian Mentzer
13. Terence Taylor (Bosma 25′)
14. Chris Padmos (Stock 40′)
15. Joel Conzelmann
16. Pete Melgren
17. Jordan Ulmer
18. Cole Van Harn
19. Will Miller
20. Cam Watson
21. John Palladino
22. Jared Bosma
23. CJ Stock
Tries: Mentzer 43′, 63, Hiltzik 65′
Cons: Bridges 43′, 63′
Pen: Bridges 40′
John Palladino with Cam Watson in support for UMRFC-B
The B game was the final game of the day. With all olde boys available regardless of era, UMRFC’s second side faced a stiff test. The opposition was full of crafty veterans and players in their prime. The backline was loaded with talent and accounted for 41 of the 46 alumni points. Strength and Conditioning coach Stu Roche put in 3 tries and 3 conversions. Men’s club captain and former UMRFC captain Karl Seibert added two of his own tries.
Scott Miller wins a line-out for the second side.
The alumni led 29-0 at half but the college side won the second half. Max Arevuo scored off of a quick tap when the alumni had 17 players on the field. Evan Noon converted. Late in the game, Nick Lazurka showed his quickness and stiff arm ability and scorched the alumni for two tries. Noon converted one.
1. Jordan Ulmer
2. Pete Melgren
3. Evan Rourke
4. Will Miller
5. Stuart Starkweather
6. Scott Miller
7. Cam Watson
8. Nelson Worner
9. Max Arevuo
10. Evan Noon
11. Sam Saravalatz
12. John Paladino
13. Nick Lazurka
14. Joe Poznanski
15. Ben Clemens
16. Chening Duker
17. Oliver Gregerson
18. Mike Manzano
19. Kevin Linder
20. Kazem Alidoost
21. Nick Fehrman
22. Cole Van Harn
Tries: Arevuo 59′, Lazurka 63′, 80′
Cons: Noon 59′, 80′
The over-40 side attacks near the UMRFC-C goal line.
The C game kicked off the day. A large contingent of rookie players comprised the UMRFC side. 6 players playing in their first game ever. They faced an over-40 side of alumni in a classic age vs. energy battle.
The college side went down early but battled back late, taking the lead only to lose on the final play of the day, 31-26.
1. Jackson Wagner
2. Cam Watson
3. Troy Redmond
4. Mike Manzano
5. Kazem Alidoost
6. Josh Rousselo
7. Sam Saunders
8. Nelson Worner
9. Max Arevuo
10. Evan Noon
11. Jack Sligh
12. Ben Clemens
13. Ryan McDonough
14. Kevin Linder
15. Neal Slabbekoorn
16. Stuart Starkweather
17. Nick Fehrman
18. Kevin Cheng
Tries: Watson 20′, Arevuo 53′, Cheng 60′, 67′
Cons: Noon 20′, 53′, 60′
