Shea Loughnane scores a try at the Pitt Dome 7s tournament
On February 10, the Michigan Men’s Rugby’s first side team traveled all the way to the University of Pittsburgh to participate in the university’s annual 7s tournament. The tournament, which brings teams from across the Midwest to show their skills in a climate controlled environment, saw the first side face off against familiar 15s rivals, all hoping to exact revenge for their defeats in the fall season.
In the first side’s pool were the Universities of Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and Rio Grande. Michigan beat all three teams in the fall season, and opened up the day with a game against Cincinnati. A short first half saw tries scored by Joe Ounsley and team captain Tommy Hendricks, giving the Wolverines a 17-0 lead. In the final 7 minutes of the match, three other players made their presence known, with scores by Shea Loughnane, Gage Gretter, and Connor McNabnay ending the match 34-0.
In the next game, Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish attempted to forget the previous season’s competition, opening the game with a try to put them up 7-0. Two tries by Shea Loughnane and Luke Zana put the Wolverines up 12-7, but Notre Dame ended the half with a try to tie the match. In the second half, a try for Notre Dame put them ahead by 7. Hoping to tie the game, Joe Ounsely scored off a final scrum to put the Wolverines down by 2, but the wind blew the conversion off course.
For their final match in pool play, the Wolverines faced off against Rio Grande in the battle for the water jug. Much like the previous match, this one saw both teams trading scores, with two tries by Tommy Hendricks and Joe Ounsley putting them up 10-5 at the half. In the second 7, Rio Grande punched it in twice, forcing a powerful try by Matthew Daines and Ounsley conversion to tie it. Despite their efforts, a final try by Rio Grande saw the Wolverines take their second loss of the day.
Leaving pool play, the Wolverines sought to redeem themselves, putting up over 30 unanswered points against the University of Dayton before turning to the home team. Ending the day with a match against Pitt, tries by Joe Ounsley, Jack Regan, and Gage Gretter put the Wolverines on top 26-5.
The Wolverines left Pittsburgh with a good grasp of their strengths and weaknesses entering this 7s season. With a few weeks break and a second side tournament at home, the first side seems poised to make a splash at their next competition. The First Side will play next on March 23rd at the Fighting Irish invitational. The Second Side will play at home on March 16th in the Michigan Cup.
