The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Sports November 3, 2006

Men’s Rugby Falls to Kenyon 0-22 in First Game of Season

The Oberlin men’s rugby team debuted in a match against the Kenyon Lords this past Saturday in Ohio’s brutal October weather. Despite the 0-22 loss to the Lords, sophomore and team organizer, Keith Yoder, explained that the match was successful, considering it was the Billy Goats’ first match ever, acknowledging, “Now we just need to get some offense together.”

The Billy Goats, who go by the Gruffs, represent a new generation in OC men’s rugby. Efforts last year to start a team ended disappointingly, but Yoder and sophomores David Sokoll, Yeta Sugano, Morgan Roussel and senior Paul Jurado, wouldn’t let the dream die. Thanks to their Facebook invites, flyers and general interest meetings, these members of last year’s attempted team have put together a team of nearly 25 men, with nearly half of these members first-years.

The guys aren’t shy about their lack of rugby knowledge; few members of the team have game experience. But what they lack in experience, they certainly make up for in enthusiasm. “We are really making a big effort to be more focused about goals and practices. Hopefully we’ll be an Ohio Union Certified rugby team by next year,” explains Sokoll. And all of the hard work doesn’t mean that the Gruffs aren’t having fun. By all accounts, the Billy Goats is a great team to be on.

 “It’s just nice to be part of a team again with a fresh group of people who are all excited to be working together,” commented sophomore Zenith Richards. Excitement is crucial in the sport of rugby, evidenced by first-year Ben Sandberg, who maintains that the team “has a great attitude and shows a lot of promise and potential,” despite his own bruised face from Saturday’s game.

All of this enthusiasm is essential to the Gruffs’ success. As of right now, the team doesn’t receive any college funding. With only five rugby balls, no uniforms and fewer cleats than men, the team has “really been running on soul,” said Yoder. The OC women’s rugby team helps the Gruffs whenever they can, and the Gruffs are quick to thank the Rhinos for all of the their help. “We have a great relationship with the women’s team,” said Yoder. “They have really helped teach us a lot about the game and loaned us their equipment when they could.”

The team is currently practicing twice a week and is looking to organize a home meet before the end of the semester.


 
 
   

Powered by