Posted in D1, ECRC, Match Reports on Oct 25th, 2011
With a jubilant crowd of alumni in support Middlebury improves to 3 and 2 with an emphatic win over the University of Connecticut rugby team. The boys in blue look sharp and refreshed after their bye week though they are still missing key players from the team who some were expecting to see back in the line-up. Their less experienced players take huge steps forward and fans of The MCRC will be well pleased with the performance of this young team.
Out to prove that they are as dangerous with the ball in hand as they are rugby tacticians with the boot goal-kicker Brian “Try-Guy” Sirkia ’12.5 reminds everyone of why he picked up the cognomen upon his arrival with a pair of tries and touch-finder Adam “Scrumcap” Schreiber ’14 also picks up the brace. The outside center sophomore is really coming into his own as his decision making on when to move the ball and when to move his feet is ever improving. That said, it is not just the points scorers who deserve mention. Two players in their first years of regular 1st team rugby really standout on this occasion: lock Nick Derrico ’12 and inside center Jebb “The Febb” Norton ’13.5.
The Middlebury 2nd team completes a fantastic day of MCRC rugby with a win over UConn’s 2nd team. Fullback Landers Carnal ’12 and prop Steve Etna ’15 standout.
Full 1st team match report below:
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Posted in D1, ECRC, Match Reports on Oct 9th, 2011
Three players pick up their first competitive caps as Middlebury improves to 2 and 2 with a 7 point victory over the University of Albany. Despite only scoring 2 tries versus Albany’s 4 tries, Middlebury picks up their first road win in Division I. This hotly contested battle goes down to the wire with Albany leading at half time and Middlebury rallying to take over control in the second.
Captain Brian Sirkia ’12.5 scores one of the Middlebury tries, hits 5 penalty kicks and 2 conversions – his boot is the real difference on the scoreboard. Amongst the forwards flanker Devin Risinger ’14 has a stormer creating turnover after turnover at the breakdown. Substitute flanker Sam “Fireman” Murray ’13 scores what ends up being the winning try, capping off the play of the game.
Full match report below:
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Posted in D1, ECRC, Match Reports on Oct 2nd, 2011
The Northeastern Maddogs has the better of the boys in blue as they put up 34 points on their home ground. Middlebury is only able to put 3 points on the board through a Brian Sirkia ’12.5 penalty early in the first half. Northeastern is a very athletic and well coached side that runs the ball well. If not for some amazing work by Middlebury’s back 3 on defense the score would have gotten completely out of hand. Few teams keep the ball moving through the hands as well as Northeastern. They use switches, dummy switches and skips to initially beat the gain line then the real damage is done: as the cover defense scrambles they keep supporting the ball carrier who works to stay on his feet and make small pops inside and outside to keep the play going.
Lots to be learned from playing a team of this caliber and Middlebury will be better for it if they respond correctly. Middlebury will also be bouyed by the performance of their 2nd XV who beat Northeastern 8 – 7. Man-of-the-match Sanders Mora ’15 scores Middlebury’s only try in the first half – the freshman has an absolute stormer entertaining all with his turn of speed and tackle breaking runs. The second half sees Northeastern respond with a converted try that puts them ahead by two points. Late in the game Ethan Vorel ’14.5 converts a penalty kick in front of posts to secure the victory. Great promise for the future!
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Posted in D1, ECRC, Match Reports on Sep 25th, 2011
Middlebury secures their first win in Division I beating Southern Connecticut by 30 points to 7 at home. The muddy field slowed down the pace of the game but some smart tactical kicking by Brian Sirkia ’12.5 gave Middlebury superior field positioning and though it took some camping in the red zone, thanks to Southern’s hard-nosed defense, the Blue managed to breakthrough on multiple occasions.
Tries for Sirkia, wingers Zach Withers ’11.5 and Ken “ICU” Mugo ’12, and eigthman Ross Berriman ’12. Sirkia slots home two penalties and two conversions. Sloppy defense by Middlebury late in the game lets Southern score on a full-field-break to record their first points in this new league. Withers lays out the “Sam Harrison Hit of the Day” following up Geoff Kalan’s beaster last weekend. Hard to pick a man of the match this week as multiple players stepped up to the task in big ways: Mugo is tireless in his pursuit of the ball on every single kick; Berriman creates turnover after turnover especially late in the game as both teams tire; inside center Jack Maher ’12 is so vastly improved from last week and is a force on defense. All that said Sirkia creates nearly all of Middlebury’s attack (sometimes out of very little) and his tackling at 10 is flawless so the writer gives the backs captain the nod. Full report below.
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Posted in D1, ECRC, Match Reports on Sep 17th, 2011
In a nail-biting season opener The MCRC narrowly lost to UMass-Amherst by 4 points. The game could have easily gone the other way and with the final play Middlebury almost pulled off a miraculous comeback but a knock-on from 5 meters out brought proceedings to a disappointing but glory-filled end. The lead changed hands 5 times in this warrior’s ping pong battle and with just 3 minutes left Middlebury had the advantage but they could not hold out.
An impressive debut for the true freshman Laird “Godzilla” Silsby ’15 at #8, putting in some solid tackles and picking up a crucial try. Fullback Geoff “Le Roi” Kalan ’12.5 puts in a man of the match performance both on offense and defense; though captain Brian “VC” Sirkia’s final penalty kick…almost match-winning, near sideline, golden toe dagger was easily the play of the game.
Full match report below.
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