The Collegian

Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: photo Courtesy of Sean McDermott Sophomore Kamil Stasiulewicz sprints down the field follwed by several University of Findlay rugby players. The rugby team opened their first game of the season with a 21-15 loss and 14 penalties

The Hillsdale Rugby Club is regrouping after a hard-fought loss against University of Findlay Saturday. They were outscored 21-15 by a team junior captain Ian Faley called the "biggest, most organized team we have played."

The margin of victory was a result of two penalty kicks - each three points. Faley said the difference in the game was due to mental errors.

"We lost due to penalties, that was the only reason," Faley said. "We ended up having 14 penalties we shouldn't have had."

Despite the discrepancy in penalties, the match was closely contested the whole way. Both teams scored three tries. Hillsdale's first try was converted by junior TJ Chapel, playing in his first game.

After the game, the teams demonstrated their respect by choosing a "Man of the Match" from the opponent's team. Findlay picked Chapel as Hillsdale's most outstanding player. Chapel said the intensity level in the match was very high, as he expected it to be. Like Faley, he said the main problem for Hillsdale was penalties leading to turnovers.

"They had more experience," junior Dean Fletcher, another newcomer to the team, said. "If we play them again in April we will win."

The next game is scheduled away at Saginaw Valley State University March 28.

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