The victorious graduating seniors left to right, Sebastian Harrison, Dave Hiltzik, Matt Pilon, Sergio Rocha, Mike LaCivita, Nic Bishar, Olly Gregerson, Grady Bridges, Chris Hopfner, Pete Melgren.
This past Saturday was both a successful and emotional day for many players in the UMRFC. It was the last time many seniors would ever play for the Maize and Blue, and the Wolverines wanted to make it a good game for their seniors to remember against Central Michigan.
It was a cold, wet day played in not only the mud but a little snow as well. Michigan came out with a roster chocked full of seniors, eager to leave everything they had on the field. The Wolverines had historically struggled in the opening minutes of the game this spring season, so a quick score in the sixth minute by Joel Conzelman showed everyone in attendance that the Maize and Blue were here to play. Grady Bridges successfully converted the try to give Michigan an early 7-0 lead. Bridges added to the score 20 minutes later, weaving through the defense to take the ball in for the try. He converted his own score and gave the Wolverines a solid lead of 14-0. Central weren’t push-overs though, and their large pack helped move them down the field to eventually score their first points of the game in the 36th minute from mounting 5-meter scrum pressure. The conversion was no good, however, making it a 14-5 score at the half.
Joel Conzelmann breaks away for the opening try.
The second half started with an aggressive push by CMU that led them into Michigan territory. This culminated in a Michigan penalty in the 44th minute, around the 22 meter mark that CMU elected to kick for points. CMU’s 8 man kicked the ball straight and true and found his mark between the posts to bring the Chippewas one possession within the lead at 14-8. The next 35 minutes of play found the two teams slogging through the mud, going back and forth competing for the ball and field position. The forwards found themselves called upon often, due to the muddy conditions and cold weather inhibiting what the backlines could do. However, Bridges eventually capped off the game in style in the 79th minute, comfortably securing the lead for Michigan and converting his own score from close to the sideline. This made the final score 21-8 bringing the seniors a gratifying final win to their Michigan careers.
1. Zach Kendall (Arnett 10′)
2. Evan Rourke
3. Nic Bishar (Fehrman 49′)
4. Matt Pilon (Vecchio 29′)
5. Sergio Rocha (Starkweather 57′)
6. Dave Hiltzik (Duker 65′)
7. Olly Gregerson (Andutan 40′)
8. Mike LaCivita
9. John Palladino
10. Grady Bridges
11. CJ Stock (Smart 74′)
12. Jared Bosma
13. Evan Noon
14. Chris Hopfner (Borowski 22′)
15. Joel Conzelmann
16. Brennen Arnett
17. Nick Fehrman
18. Drew Vecchio (Van Harn 72′)
19. Stuart Starkweather
20. Chening Duker
21. Kenny Andutan
22. Cole Van Harn
23. Mark Borowski
24. Cooper Smart
Tries: Conzelmann 6′, Bridges 25′, 79′
Cons: Bridges 7′, 26′, 79′
Travis Sawyer makes a break for U of M.
The B-side followed up the A-side game looking to continue a great day for the club. It was a tough fought first half with both sides struggling to play through the muddy and rough conditions. There were plenty of scrums called and many turnovers from each side which eventually led to a scoreless first half. The Wolverines great conditioning showed in the second half however as they shot out of the gate with Cole Van Harn quickly scoring in the 31st minute with a hard run to get past the try line. Zack Burns missed the conversion however. Michigan then received the ensuing kickoff and Chening Duker found the ball and slipped through the CMU defensive line, breaking all the way down the field to score in the 32nd minute, giving the B-side a 12-0 lead in just 2 minutes of play. Senior Sergio Rocha also found his special moment of the day, taking the ball off of a penalty and pounding his way over Chippewa defenders to score a tough fought try near the right post in the 45th minute. Burns successfully converted the try giving the Wolverines a 19-0 lead. The final 15 minutes was noted by tough defense on each side, with neither team giving up or giving ground. However at the end of 60 minutes, the score remained 19-0 Michigan and UMRFC ended its season with two wins on the day, sending off its seniors in style.
1. Jackson Wagner
2. Travis Sawyer
3. Nic Bishar (Fehrman 30′)
4. Joe Stevens
5. Olly Gregerson
6. Jesse Fenno
7. Chening Duker
8. Cole Van Harn
9. Mark Borowski (Stock 5′)
10. Zack Burns
11. Brandon Gardner
12. Ben Clemens (Rocha 32′)
13. Cooper Smart
14. Neal Slabberkoorn
15. Kevin Linder
16. Nick Fehrman
17. CJ Stock
18. Sergio Rocha
Tries: Van Harn 31′, Duker 32′, Rocha 45′
Cons: Burns 33′, 45′
