Boston College 37
Dartmouth College 17

BCRFC came out with a point to prove on this rainy and muddy day in Hanover, NH. The Big Green had predicted that BC would be "much improved," but they were not ready for the intense and relentless attack that the Eagles would bring. With thoughts of last year's 27-0 loss to Dartmouth, BC opened the 2004 season with flashes of brilliance.

The Eagles jumped out on the board early with a penalty kick and never looked back. The backs, through switches and loops, were able to swing the ball out wide with quickness and accuracy, despite the harsh weather conditions. The BC pack rucked quickly and laid out a perfect ball for the scrumhalf to deal with ease. They also worked diligently to suck in the Dartmouth defense through trailers, picks, and mauls so the backs could work in an open field.

The Big Green, however, would not go away easily, as early in the second half they were able to cut the lead from 20-5 to 20-17. BC would not get frustrated, however, as they put up 17 unanswered points to finish off the game. Congrats to the BC ruggers and thanks to Dartmouth for hosting us.

Next week: #18 ranked Norwich.

Norwich University 12
Boston College 43

Played on BC's Newton Campus, the home opener was a big draw for students, parents, and the general public. The sounds of bagpipes echoed as BCRFC rolled over Norwich, a heavy favorite if you asked anyone but us, 43-12.

BC again came out with a fury, swinging the ball wide and letting the backs run in the open field as the forwards kept tight support. Mark Ciccone, flyhalf, opened up the scoring attack by returning a Norwich kick across the field and up the sideline 50 meters for a try. From then on, BC never looked back. The forwards played tremendous defense to eliminate the threat of Norwich's strong pack. They shut down mauls and made a tremendous goal line stand at the end of the first half as Norwich threatened. BC carried a 22-5 lead into the half.

The second half saw BC's backline integrate with the forwards to put up 21 more points. Congrats to the ruggers on beating the #18 team in the country. Congrats to the B side on an 81-7 onslaught of Norwich, and an impressive 24-0 win for the C side. Thanks go out to Norwich for bringing so many bodies so that we could get our guys experience and for never giving up. They are truly classy rugby players.

Boston University 15
Boston College 64

The Eagles came into this weeks match vs. cross-town rival Boston University ranked #17 in the nation by Goff's national rankings. The Mystic River Men's club played host to BC on their beautiful field turf rugby pitch in Malden, MA.

After a slow start to the game (BC let up an early try on a long run as a result of lazy defense and poor tackling), the Eagles began to show signs of life, using their speed and athleticism to manufacture points. Although the score may show otherwise, it was not one of BC's best performances. Due to sloppy rucks, BC was unable to spin the ball wide as much as they would have liked to. They were forced to rely on pure athleticism, instead of well executed rugby as they had done in the previous two games. In addition, the kicking skills of fullback Drew Cronin were greatly missed as BC had trouble converting kicks after all of the tries we piled up. Nevertheless, the defense held strong most of the game, allowing the offense to keep the ball in their hands. Junior Flanker Sam Pond provided plenty of highlights on the day, landing himself in the try zone four times.

BC looks to improve to 4-0 as they take on Amherst College next weekend in Amherst, MA. Thanks to Mystic River Men's Rugby for hosting us and to thanks to BU for a well played game.

Boston College 38
Amherst College 27

The #15 BC Eagles traveled to Amherst on Columbus Day Weekend in an attempt to improve to 4-0 and improve their status in both the league and the nation. BC knew that Amherst was a much improved team from last season, when BC scored one of its two victories on the year against the NESCAC School. Amherst came into the game at 2-1, with their only blemish an 11-9 loss to undefeated UConn.

Amherst had a larger pack than BC, but the Eagles refused to let that affect them. BC stuck to its game plan, using an even mix of tight trails, quick rucking, and quick balls to the outside. When BC took a 12-3 lead, it looked as if they were ready to run away with the game. However, mistakes and poor tackling allowed Amherst to stay in the game. BC was in a dog fight, but showed poise and confidence. The defense tightened up in the second half and the rucking drastically improved, allowing the forwards to secure the ball and the backs to use their creativity. The result was a 38-27 victory for BC.

Thanks to Amherst College for hosting us and for putting up a good fight. Next week, BC plays its most important game of the season vs. rival Harvard at Newton Campus at 9 am.

Harvard University 17
Boston College 17

Harvard traveled a short distance to BC's Newton Campus field for the most important game of the season to date for both sides. We knew that we could not lose this game if we wanted to remain in first place in the Green League and secure ourselves a playoff spot in the Northeast tournament at the end of the regular season. We knew that we would be in for a battle.

On a wet and muddy field, BC took control from the get go. The poor weather conditions, combined with the loss of flyhalf Mark Ciccone forced BC to play a more conservative style of rugby than we were used to. Freshman Phil Albanese stepped in at flyhalf and did an outstanding job running the back line. It was the forwards, however, who did the job on this day. The Eagles pounded the Crimson defense the entire first half with a barrage of trailers, mauls, pick-and-gos, and tight rucks. When the ball was swung out wide, it was extremely effective as well. BC controlled most of the game, but mistakes allowed the opponent to stay close.

In the second half, Harvard pulled ahead of the home team 17-12. The BC forwards were relentless, however, and put in a try with only a few minutes left to tie the game. A missed conversion by BC and a missed penalty conversion by Harvard left the game at a 17-17 tie.

Although this was not the outcome we were looking for, it did leave BC in sole possession of first place in the green league. The forwards showed signs of brilliance and hope to carry that over next week vs. Brown, as we attempt to avenge last year's controversial loss to the Ivy League team.

Boston College 54
Brown University 12

BCRFC traveled to Providence, RI to face off against Brown University in an attempt to remain unbeaten on the season. BC entered the game ranked #15 nationally.

BC came out strong and never let up the entire game. A perfect balanced attack between forwards and backs allowed BC to use its strength up front in the pack to suck in the defense and ruck the ball effectively and quickly. The backs were then able to spin it out wide to the outside center and the wings and use their speed. Tom Case (#13) had a brilliant game at outside center, breaking several long runs, and sophomore Prop "Apostle John" Jordan scored three tries in his first A-side start of his career. BC let up twelve points in the first half, and decided at halftime that Brown would not score again. They kept their promise, bulldozing the Brown Bears until the final whistle blew. The highlight of the game was winger Pat Cooney's tipped interception of a long pass intended for the Brown fullback. He returned it to the house and needless to say, he was "straight coon-dawgin it."

With this impressive victory, BC Rugby clinched the Green League title in NERFU Division 1, and a playoff spot in the NRUs, which begin November 6. BC travels to Durham, NH next weekend to face UNH and attempt to avenge last season's loss to the Wildcats and protect their undefeated season.

Boston College 24
Univ. of New Hampshire 24

In the final game of the regular season, #15 Boston College traveled to Durham, New Hampshire. Always a tough team, UNH had struggled early in the season only to rebound with some big wins later in the year. BC knew that UNH would pose a threat, but it seemed that the Eagles took them lightly. Knowing that they had secured a spot in the Northeast Playoffs as a #6 seed may have contributed to the lackadaisical start to the game.

UNH struck first, stealing a ruck from BC and driving down the field. It served as a wakeup call to the entire BC starting fifteen. From then on, the battle that both teams had expected ensued. The teams traded tries back and forth all the way until the final seconds of the game. Trailing 24-19, BC scored at try in injury time as their forwards pounded the ball inside the UNH five-meter line over and over again. 8-man Sean Hanel finally was able to touch down in the try zone on the left side of the field. The conversion kick from fullback Drew Cronin looked strong, but took an unfortunate bounce off of the left upright. The game ended in a 24-24 tie.

The highlight of the game for the Eagles came on a beautifully constructed grubber kick by inside center Greg Tarca, which landed in the hands of winger Pat Cooney. Tarca was rewarded with a pass from Cooney that saved the ball from going to touch and gave Tarca a well-earned try.

BC will play at Cornell in Ithaca, NY next weekend (Saturday at 2 p.m.) in the first round of the NRU playoffs.

Boston College 22
Cornell University 20

On this warm and sunny Saturday, the Boston College Rugby Club took the field in Ithaca, NY against the New York State Champions Cornell University. This was the first time that the BC men's club has qualified for the NRU playoffs (they were created in 1996).

BC marched on to the field and immediately took to the quick, strong, and balanced style of rugby that had got them this far. The BC pack rucked with intensity and vigor, and the backs used quickness and creativity to cycle the ball out wide. The defense in the first half was impenetrable and the Cornell side seemed to be shocked in the first half. BC took a 22-5 lead into the halftime break. The second half, however, saw a more energized Cornell side take advantage of many BC penalties. This allowed Cornell to slowly creep back into the game and put BC on their heels. The defense held strong at the end of the game however, preserving the lead and BC's first playoff victory.

Although BC's play in the second half was not impressive, their ability to hold on to the lead and play tough defense down the stretch was admirable. This was a "team victory," in the truest essence of the phrase.

Next week, BC moves on to the Northeast Final Four, facing Dartmouth in the first of its two matches. If they finish in the top two, a trip to the National Sweet Sixteen is guaranteed.

Dartmouth College 18
Boston College 8

BC came in to the day with a lot on the line. The Eagles knew that they would need to get by Dartmouth in order to have a legitimate shot at the National Sweet 16. The Eagles came into the game with confidence, looking to repeat their performance earlier in the year, when they defeated Dartmouth 37-17.

This game was a different story, however, as BC had trouble piecing together its offense for the first time this season. Two early penalties hurt BC, and Dartmouth capitalized with two penalty kicks, giving them a 6-0 lead. Boston College responded with its best offensive sequence of the match, a series of phases that covered fifty meters on the ground. A Steve Morelli pass to Prop Hugh Galligan started the sequence. Galligan then popped a pass out of a tackle to fullback Drew Cronin who spun it out wide. Galligan was rewarded down near the goal line as he took a trailer from scrumhalf McGlinchey, broke a tackle, and touched it down in the try zone. Later in the game, Cronin connected on a penalty goal, giving the Eagles their first and only lead of the game. Two Dartmouth tries would make the difference, as BC continually moved the ball towards the Dartmouth try zone, but could not connect again.

The loss was disappointing to say the least. However, BC would not let it ruin their day or season, as there was one more game left to play.

Boston College 25
SUNY-Buffalo 14

Playing in their last game of the season — and what would be the last game of their BC careers unless Dartmouth could upset Army — the BC seniors went into this game with an unmatchable amount of intensity. The underclassmen on the squad matched that, and the result was a powerful performance from the Eagles that they knew they were capable of.

In the first two minutes of play, BC marched down the field, using a combination of strong forward play and quick backs. A long pass to junior winger Pat Cooney resulted in a 40 meter run for the first of his two tries on the day. BCRFC controlled this game from the get go, not letting two defensive breakdowns (which resulted in two Buffalo tries) get to them. BC played the game knowing they had nothing to lose, and the results showed on the field. The BC scrum was perhaps the best it had been all season, controlling a strong Buffalo pack the entire match. Hooker Steve Morelli was able to steal a couple of balls in the scrum, one resulting in a sequence that lead to a BC try. BC did not let up until the final whistle blew, allowing them to celebrate a 25-14 victory.

This strong performance was indicative of the strong heart and dedication that these young men have given the program throughout the season. It was an appropriate way for the seniors to go out, leaving BC's record on the season at 7-1-2, the very best in many years. BC will move up to the White League next season, where they will see strong sides like Army, Dartmouth, Northeastern, and Connecticut on a regular basis. The seniors are confident that the new leaders of the team will continue to succeed, on the field and off, for that is what BCRFC is all about.