Men’s rugby team drops season opener to Western Michigan University
September 13, 2015
The beginning of the season — and four-game road trip for the Kent State men’s rugby team — did not start off on the right foot.
Certainly not the start Tim Brofman envisioned in his first game as head coach of the men’s team, but team president Keegan Gillilan said the younger players looked good in their debuts and showed much promise.
However, the Flashes were still unable to spoil the home opener for the Broncos in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Gillilan said it was a “much needed wake up call” as the only score for the Flashes came on a pass from Mike Stoll to Ryan Meyer, both breaking a tackle in the process.
The team suffered from a plethora of mental mistakes, including a lack of fundamentals and penalties that killed any momentum that was created.
The Flashes’ B-team also lost but in a much closer fashion: only 15-7. The B-team is comprised of mostly new players or players that have never played rugby before entering the season. It’s a way for the A-team to see which players have the most potential to make that leap to the next level eventually.
“All the rookies played well beyond their expectations,” Gillilan said. “The second game is built to develop new players and get them acclimated to learn how to safely play the sport.”
Kyle Samec is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].
