The Yale University Rugby Football Club

YALE 21 - CCSU 5

The Yale Bulldogs advanced their fall divisional record to 3-0 Saturday with a win against Central Connecticut State University, 21-5. Central, a team Yale had not faced since September of 2001, proved to be a tougher and more defensively oriented squad than last week’s opponent URI. Yet Yale made adjustments and persevered, scoring tries in clutch situations and nearly pitching their first shutout of the year.

Yale opened the match with the same starting lineup and plenty of momentum from last week. However, frequent stoppages slowed the pace of play early on as neither side could muster any serious offensive threats. Yale was first to put points on the board when Rob Smith ’06 converted a penalty kick from about 30 yards out in approximately the 15th minute. From thereon, Yale tightened up their defense and regained some rhythm on offense when fullback Matt Reagan ’05 broke the gain line for the Bulldogs’ first try. Winger Bobby Cardone ’06 added to the lead several minutes later with a try of his own. Reagan and Cardone have scored in each of the division matches this fall. Both extra kicks were missed wide, but Yale closed the first half on top 12- 0.

In the second half, a composed Yale side continued their solid play. After working the ball up the right side of the field, the Bulldogs then spread it wide left and capped what was arguably Yale's prettiest series in the match as winger Michael Freedman-Aponte '05 eluded the last Central defender for the score. Smith gave the Bulldogs more breathing room with a second successful penalty kick in approximately the 25th minute. Central did not give up, however, and continued to put pressure on the Bulldogs through hard crashing, solid tackling and good scrummaging. A late surge by Central aided by an untimely communication lapse amongst the Eli’s resulted in the lone Central try just before the final whistle, hence spoiling the goose egg. Despite the improvement to 3-0, the Bulldogs suffered a serious setback

Saturday when both the starting and reserve 8-men went down with injuries. Appointed pack captain Matthew Devlin '05 was playing the best rugby of his career after putting on some extra bulk over the summer. Unfortunately, a serious ankle injury will likely sideline Devlin for the rest of the fall campaign. Yale was further disheartened when freshmen 8-man Mark Cotter dislocated his shoulder later in the afternoon. Yale will have to adjust before taking on a surprisingly strong Trinity side next Saturday at Trinity at 1:00. The Yale Killer B’s did not fare as well against the Central second side as in past weeks. Central surprised Yale early by working the ball wide and beating Yale to the outside for several quick tries. Tentative play in the rucks also hurt the Bulldogs, who failed to retain ball possession long enough to mount a sustained attack. Yale picked up their play late in the half, though, and finally found the try zone when center Sam Beutler ’07 took a pass along the right sideline from flyhalf Jack Mahoney ’07. Beutler scored again for the Bulldogs early in the second half after he fought through a pile of Central defenders and somehow span his way into the try zone. Both Beutler and Mahoney are welcome additions to the lineup after injuries kept them sidelined for the first part of the season. Yohannes Abraham ’07 had a solid debut at center and Pietro “P-Train/P-Money” Deserio had another strong game in the second row. In the end, ball control problems and inconsistent team defense exposed the Bulldogs, and Central capitalized with another two tries in the second half for a 27-12 win.