Eagles Playoff Hopes Cut Short

November 10, 2009- The Boston College Men’s Club Rugby team played their final game of the 2009 season on Saturday November 7 at Brody Field against the Dartmouth College rugby Club. The first round game of the NRU playoffs featured BC, #7 NRU, as the underdog against the winner of the newly created Ivy League and #2 NRU ranked Dartmouth. The setting was not an unfamiliar one- The Eagles began their season on the same field, where they played against Queens and McGill in the annual Dartmouth Invitational Tournament in early September. Since those opening games, BC believed they had improved their game and were in a great position to move deeper into the post season.

The game began with a BC kick to Dartmouth followed by intense contact on both sides of the ball; both teams were ready to fight hard for the victory. The Big Green struck first, touching the ball down in the BC touch zone for an early 5-0 lead. The Eagles answered quickly however with a try of their own. Early on, it seemed like it would be a back-and-forth battle for eighty minutes. Unfortunately as the game progressed, a number of devastating turnovers in the scrum as well as in line-outs allowed Dartmouth to move ahead convincingly. At the end of the first half, Boston College trailed by a score of 24-8.

The Eagles received the ball at the start of the second half and moved it up the field in an aggressive attack. They needed an early score to gain the momentum back and try for the upset victory. Led by captains Alex Hunt and Conor Hynes, the team threatened early, moving the ball deep into Dartmouth territory. Dartmouth stopped BC short of try after a penalty was called within the five meter line. In a devastating few seconds, Dartmouth won the ball out of the scrum and returned it for a try in BC territory. The shift in momentum carried Dartmouth for the remainder of the match. While they made several runs towards the end line, BC failed to score for the rest of the game. The final score of the match was Dartmouth 50, BC 8.

The first round playoff loss was a difficult end for the BC team as they were forced to say goodbye to senior players. After the game, Coach Gene Mountjoy commented that he was disappointed with the outcome of the game but proud of his boys for not giving up. Although the Eagles did not make it further into the playoffs as they had hoped, the team’s improvement from day one was a reason for excitement. The team’s younger players earned plenty of experience and will remember this game as they move forward in the future. After playing in his final game as a Boston College Eagle, Conor Hynes offered a challenge to the returning players: "I hope the younger guys will remember this defeat and avenge the seniors in the future”.

Looking ahead, BC has begun training for the spring exhibition season. While it is difficult to say goodbye to old leaders and teammates, the Eagles believe their squad will be even better prepared next year.

Boston College vs Dartmouth
Division I Rugby Playoffs

November 7, 2009-This Saturday Boston College (#7 NRU, #2 NERFU) will play Dartmouth (#2 NRU, #1 Ivy League) in the first round of the NRU playoffs. The winner will move on to play Harvard/Syracuse in the second round. The teams played each other most recently as NERFU foes in the fall of 2008, with Dartmouth taking the victory 19-13. The match will kick off at eleven o’clock on Saturday, November 7th at Dartmouth’s Brophy Pitch in Hanover, NH.

Eagles Fail to Halt Army Charge

November 1, 2009- This past Saturday, October 31st, The Boston College Rugby Club traveled to West Point to play their final game of the regular season against the Army Black Knights. This game between two undefeated opponents would decide the seeding for the North Eastern Rugby Football Union playoffs. Read more here.

Eagles subdue Mad Dogs

October 25, 2009- This past weekend the Boston College Eagles defeated the Northeastern Mad Dogs for the second time this season. The game was played at Alumni Stadium at Boston College under a light mist and in front of a crowd of the home team’s supporters. With a win, the Eagles would clinch a playoff berth. Read more here.

Friends of BCRFC launch website

The Friends of BCRFC feel there is a need and opportunity for greater engagement between BCRFC, its alumni and friends, and the community beyond the campus on the Heights. At present, the Club is enjoying phenomenal competitive and organizational success. We hope that by creating an organization to support BCRFC, we can encourage the civic/moral responsibility and athletic achievement that have become hallmarks of BCRFC. Friends of BCRFC website

Northeastern Game Scheduled for 10 am Saturday, October 24th, at St. Johns

October 23, 2009- Eagles look to keep intact their undefeated league record tomorrow, and expect a tough battle against a Northeastern team they beat 16-15 three weeks ago. Check here for updates as weather may force us to move the match to Alumni Stadium.

BC Drowns UConn at Home Opener

October 19, 2009- On a day of rain, snow, mud, and cold, the Boston College Men’s Rugby Club defeated University of Connecticut for the second time this season. The game was played on the Eagle’s home pitch, St. John’s Seminary Field, in front of a crowd of weather-braving supporters. After preparing for the game throughout their bye week, the Eagles came out ready to end the Huskies’ season. Read more here

Last Minute heroics Lifts Boston College over Northeastern University

October 4, 2009- This past Sunday, the Boston College Eagles played a tightly contested match against the Northeastern University Mad Dogs. After a convincing victory over UConn the weekend before, BC may have entered the game a bit overconfident. From the whistle, the Mad Dogs, who were supported by a boisterous home crowd, outplayed the Eagles, particularly at the breakdown. Read more here

Eagles Soar Past Huskies

September 26, 2009- The Boston College Rugby Football Club began regular season play with a match against the University of Connecticut this past Saturday, September 26, at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, Massachusetts. This anticipated NERFU opener was played in front of a large crowd of parents and supporters, and was a must-win for BC. Read more here.

Offseason Update

Summer 2009 | BCRFC Offseason Update To read the latest BCRFC news check out the summer newsletter here. The following are highlights from the newsletter:

BCRFC Commits to Dartmouth Classic

Hanover, New Hampshire- The BCRFC has recently accepted an invitation to participate in the annual Dartmouth Classic preseason tournament. The prestigious two-day invitational tournament takes place Labor Day Weekend, September 5-6, at the beautiful Dartmouth pitch in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Junior Alex Hunt Travels to Kenya with USA U20’s to Share his Love for Rugby While Competing on World Stage

Kenya, Africa-After impressing in a selection camp over winter break, and making the final round of cuts in March, sophomore Alex Hunt was selected to the USA U-20 squad. He traveled with the squad and earned his cap in the Junior World Rugby Trophy this April in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mountjoy Soars as a Double-Eagle

Boulder, CO-Head Coach Eugene Mountjoy has been appointed the USA Rugby Select XV’s forwards coach. The job was awarded to Mountjoy following interviews with USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville and USA Rugby Head Coach Eddie O’Sullivan. Fortunately, Mountjoy’s status as a full-time rugby coach will allow him to balance time between the BCRFC, Boston Rugby Super League, and his new duties with the USA Eagles.

BC Eagles Selected for NRU All Stars

Glendale, CO-This year, five Boston College rugby players were asked to tryout for the Northeast Rugby Union’s College All-Star team. Patrick “Boomer” Twardak CSOM ‘09, Karl Danso GS ‘10, Jon Gore CSOM ‘09, Conor Hynes A&S ‘10, and Alex Hunt A&S ‘11 were chosen after having distinguished themselves on the field to compete for 24 spots and the chance to represent the more than 300 college programs of the Northeast Union in the annual College All-Star Championships held in Glendale, CO in May.

Rugger Set to Tackle Cancer in the 30th Annual Pan-Mass Challenge

Provincetown, MA- On August 1st and 2nd former BCRFC hooker Tucker Margulies (A&S ’09) will take up a new sport and a new cause in a big way. Continuing the charitable tradition of BCRFC, Tucker will join his sister in riding at the 30th annual Pan-Mass Challenge.

Promising Freshman Invited To Camp

Chestnut Hill, MA- The Eagles enter the fall looking forward to a boost from their incoming class of freshman and transfer ruggers. 2009’s crop already looks strong with at least five experienced freshmen and two transfer students recruited and set to attend the annual preseason camp.

BCRFC Continues Support of Boston RSL

Boston, MA- As reported in the Winter 2009 issue, the Boston Rugby Super League squad coached by Mountjoy has benefited from an infusion of young and talented former and current Eagles. This past spring BCRFC veteran Hugh Galligan, as well as new BCRFC additions Phil Albanese, Karl Danso, Aiden Blake, Boomer Twardak and Conor Hynes took the pitch for the Boston RSL side.

Coach Goonan Promotes Youth Rugby through Play Rugby USA

Boston, MA - As the USA National team continues to improve the standards of Rugby across the country, Play Rugby USA is doing its part to introduce the sport to more and younger athletes, in an attempt to foster love for the game from an early age. Starting their fourth year of developing youth and introducing team sports in after-school programs in New York City, Play Rugby and BC Strength and Conditioning Coach Justin Goonan are looking to expand Play Rugby by starting a similar program in Boston.

BCRFC Participates in After School Program

Brighton, MA- This spring, BCRFC renewed its partnership with St. Columbkille’s after school program. Once a week, a group of 5 club members visited the school to engage 4th, 5th and 6th graders in a variety of activities. St. Columbkille is a sister school of Boston College located in Brighton.

NERFU Restructured for Fall 2009

Chestnut Hill, MA- This past spring the eight schools of the Ivy League left their respective regional conferences in order to form an Ivy League Collegiate Rugby conference. As a result, NERFU Division I will lose Harvard, Dartmouth and Yale.

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