Week 3 of UMRFC Intrasquad Sevens Sees Ross Still in the Driver Seat

The Third Night of Intrasquad Sevens took place on January 31st, and it saw fierce competition as the middle of the pack drew closer while Ross pulled slightly farther ahead. The stakes are certainly rising as teams look to dethrone Ross and improve their standings as the playoffs draw closer. As always, check out our Youtube Channel if you’d like to watch the games for yourself.

Game 1: Stephen M. Ross 21 – Don Canham 10

An early try by Jordan Ulmer set the pace of the match with Canham in the lead. Soon after, Ross had a try punched in by Christian Mentzer after a brutal sideline fend. Canham brought the ball back into Ross territory, but failed to capitalize on two near-tryline scrums, and a strong press from Christian Mentzer led to a Ross try. Canham had some long and impressive possessions, but constant defensive pressure and fierce open-field tackling from sweeper Jared Bosma refused to relent, and finally Ross’s Joel Conzelmann scored off his own grubber. A beautiful pop pass from Matt Kasten to generous sub Riley Hanson brought play into Ross territory, and Matt Kasten was able to finish the job soon after for Canham’s second try of the match. Final score 21-10 Ross

Game 2: James J. Duderstadt 21 – James Earl Jones 32

Max Arevuo put up an early try for Duderstadt, but Jones quickly responded with Sequoyah Burke-Combs who danced past defenders for a 70m try. The Dudes kept the pace and sent Sophomore Zack Burns and senior Max Arevuo into the try zone. A penalty deep in Duderstadt territory allowed Kenny Andutan to punch one in, to end the half 14-17. Matt Kasten cleaned up some sloppy play to start the second half with a try for Jones. Dudes held fast for a time, but some beautiful hands from Zack Burns to Matt Kasten and back led to a score in the corner. Andre Cargill responded for the Dudes by beating a couple of sluggish defenders around the wing for a try, but Matt Kasten recovered the poorly-fielded kickoff and scored. Jones ended the match with a penalty kick, 21-32.

Game 3: Bennie Oosterbaan 10 – Mary Sue Coleman 33

Tohy Rakotovololona and Sequoyah Burke-Combs showed excellent teamwork to score a try early in the match. Oosterbaan found themselves struggling in their own territory, but a try-saving tackle by Riley Hanson forced a knock-on after a chip kick from Rakotovololona. Coleman came back with an epic save of their own when prop Jordan Ulmer chased down a sure try after Mark Borowski broke the line for Oosterbaan. Oosterbaan received a penalty in Coleman territory, but lost possession and let in Sequoyah for a one-on-one try.  However, Oosterbaan ended the half with points on the board by sending in Soroush Labuf down the sideline, bringing the halftime score to 14-5 Coleman. Oosterbaan continued to struggle with possession in the second half, and soon let in a Jordan Ulmer try despite valiant goal-line defense by David Hiltzik and Mark Borowski. Coleman maintained their momentum with a quick try from Tohy Rakotovololona and another from Jordan Ulmer to bring the score to 33-5 with a minute left. Still, Oosterbaan pulled it together for a buzzer-beater try from David Hiltzik, and ended the match 33-10.

Game 4: Don Canham 31 – James J. Duderstadt 12

Canham started the match with a strong presence in enemy territory, soon sending Albert Foo through the defense with Christian Mentzer in support for the try.  With the exception of a couple penalties, Canham dominated the field with crisp passes and evasive runs, putting up two more tries by Christian Mentzer and one by Freshman Zack Burns before the end of the half. The second half started off strong for Canham with a CJ Stock try, but the Dudes retaliated with a strong push into Canham territory, ending in a try for Andre Cargill. With only a minute to go, both teams squandered opportunities just outside the try zone, but Jones pushed back and Andre Cargill scored from half field just as the buzzer sounded. Final score 31-12 Canham.

Game 5: Bennie Oosterbaan 14 – Stephen M. Ross 26

Oosterbaan left the starting gates with pace, quickly putting up a try for Riley Hanson that shocked much-favored Ross. Despite some ball-handling errors and penalties from both sides, the intensity held up and Oosterbaan sent David Hiltzik through to fend off two defenders for a try. A long Ross possession followed, which was finished for the try by Uygar Ozdemir, despite some good pressure from Oosterbaan. Ross seemed to find their groove as the half came to a close, sliding Chening Duker in for a try. The halftime score was 12-14 Oosterbaan. The second half dismayed spectators, as Ross began to pull inexorably ahead. An early try from Christian Mentzer set the mood for a predominantly Ross-possessed half. Despite few offensive opportunities, Oosterbaan held fast on defense for almost the entirety of the half, before a 2-on-1 by Jared Bosma and Joel Conzelmann succeeded and ended the match at 26-14 Ross.

Game 6: Mary Sue Coleman 0 – James Earl Jones 0

The final match of the evening was cut short early after becoming entirely too silly. Both sides received citations for excessive horseplay and the match was called a 0-0 draw.