2008 Woodie Awards
Improved play leads men's rugby to an undefeated 5-0 regular season
Dana Bulba
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Maine Sports
The University of Maine men's rugby team began its 2007 fall season with a solid roster of skilled veterans and promising new players, who led them to an impressive 5-0 record during regular play.
Freeing themselves of player-coaches, who in the past ruled the field, the team snagged rugby enthusiast and Economics Department head George Criner to lead their team.
The squad began with a 48-0 win over Bowdoin and followed suit by crushing the New Hampshire Wildcats shortly after, 39-5. More wins were added when UMaine played Colby and Bates.
"As the season went on, we climbed up higher in the national rankings," Anthony Purpura said, who serves as co-captain and president of the rugby team. "It was by far the most successful season that the University of Maine has ever had."
According to Purpura, UMaine ranked at No. 7 in national division II rugby standings this fall.
Wrapping up the regular season, UMaine advanced to the New England Rugby Football Union's (NERFU) Division II College Cup Playoffs with a regional ranking of No. 2. They beat No. 7 Rhode Island (41-17) and continued on to the semi-finals to face the No. 3 ranked Coast Guard; they lost, 22-7.
"I've been around UMaine for a while now and they seem to only be getting better," Campus Recreation Grad Assistant Mike Morse said. "They have become the best team in Maine very quickly."
Purpura and senior Mike Groth attributed UMaine's success this fall to returning players like Andrew Higgins, Rocco Andreozzi, Eric Anderson and Sam LaRue and new outstanding underclassmen Ben Reichl and Brett Griskiewicz. These players made up a portion of the team's 35-40 player fall roster.
"We had about 10 to 12 new guys," Groth said. According to Groth, it's rare to have underclassmen with experience, referring to Reichl and Griskiewicz. "[New players] usually start from the beginning, and we teach them everything."
Although the regular season play is over, the men's rugby team will begin their tournament season after winter break.
Team members are anticipating hosting a "ten's" tournament of their own in February at UMaine. Their plan will be discussed during NERFU's upcoming annual meeting.
"Hopefully it would give the team and other schools in attendance a look at potential opponents and play other teams that they may not see otherwise," Morse said.
Details in regard to dates and attending teams are not yet established, but Purpura hopes to "bring the rugby culture to UMaine." Up to 50 local, national and international teams are projected to attend the two-day event.
"We want people to see what we're about," Purpura said.
All interested players are welcome said Purpura and Groth.
"We have great team bonding events," Purpura said. "It's a great time, it opens up a lot of opportunities."
Freeing themselves of player-coaches, who in the past ruled the field, the team snagged rugby enthusiast and Economics Department head George Criner to lead their team.
The squad began with a 48-0 win over Bowdoin and followed suit by crushing the New Hampshire Wildcats shortly after, 39-5. More wins were added when UMaine played Colby and Bates.
"As the season went on, we climbed up higher in the national rankings," Anthony Purpura said, who serves as co-captain and president of the rugby team. "It was by far the most successful season that the University of Maine has ever had."
According to Purpura, UMaine ranked at No. 7 in national division II rugby standings this fall.
Wrapping up the regular season, UMaine advanced to the New England Rugby Football Union's (NERFU) Division II College Cup Playoffs with a regional ranking of No. 2. They beat No. 7 Rhode Island (41-17) and continued on to the semi-finals to face the No. 3 ranked Coast Guard; they lost, 22-7.
"I've been around UMaine for a while now and they seem to only be getting better," Campus Recreation Grad Assistant Mike Morse said. "They have become the best team in Maine very quickly."
Purpura and senior Mike Groth attributed UMaine's success this fall to returning players like Andrew Higgins, Rocco Andreozzi, Eric Anderson and Sam LaRue and new outstanding underclassmen Ben Reichl and Brett Griskiewicz. These players made up a portion of the team's 35-40 player fall roster.
"We had about 10 to 12 new guys," Groth said. According to Groth, it's rare to have underclassmen with experience, referring to Reichl and Griskiewicz. "[New players] usually start from the beginning, and we teach them everything."
Although the regular season play is over, the men's rugby team will begin their tournament season after winter break.
Team members are anticipating hosting a "ten's" tournament of their own in February at UMaine. Their plan will be discussed during NERFU's upcoming annual meeting.
"Hopefully it would give the team and other schools in attendance a look at potential opponents and play other teams that they may not see otherwise," Morse said.
Details in regard to dates and attending teams are not yet established, but Purpura hopes to "bring the rugby culture to UMaine." Up to 50 local, national and international teams are projected to attend the two-day event.
"We want people to see what we're about," Purpura said.
All interested players are welcome said Purpura and Groth.
"We have great team bonding events," Purpura said. "It's a great time, it opens up a lot of opportunities."
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