On Saturday, Michigan Men’s Rugby participated in the Fighting Irish Invitational at Notre Dame University. Bringing two sides, MRugby was optimistic in their odds of winning the tournament. The first side faced off in a bracket style, advancing to different matches depending on the results of each individual match. The second side played in a traditional pool format against the Kentucky 3rd side and Nebraska 2nd side.
In the first match of the day, the 1st side faced off against Kentucky. With multiple weeks in between their first tournament at the University of Pittsburgh, the team was looking to make a statement win, but Kentucky was determined not to make it easy. After a full 7 minutes of action, the game was tied 10-10, with two tries by Shea Loughnane and Joe Ounsley. A late try by Kentucky put the Wolverines down 5, but with time expiring, Loughnane scored a game-tying try. Joe Ounsley put the team ahead with the conversion in a 17-15 victory.
On the other side of the tournament, the 2nd side prepared to face off against the Kentucky 3s. Fielding many key players, including Sam Glusker and Gage Gretter, the 2s were determined to put up a fight despite low numbers. Despite their efforts, small mistakes led to a 10-5 deficit at the end of the half, with a single try by Gretter. The second half saw both sides locked in a shootout, with a pair of tries by Glusker and Tommy Hamman both being answered by the Wildcats. In tragic fashion, Kentucky managed to score a try as time expired to take the win 24-19.
The next two games were played simultaneously by the first and second side. On the main field, the 1s faced off against Notre Dame College, themselves determined to win it all in the face of their university closing. A low scoring, defensive battle saw Michigan down 5-10 at the half. In the final 7 minutes, the 1s managed to take the lead 12-10, but a difficult set of phases saw NDC take the left edge of the field with time expiring, giving the Wolverines their first loss of the day. Back on the far side of the tournament, the 2nd side faced off against the Nebraska 2s. With the first side playing at the same time, the 2s fought their 2nd match with no subs and no water, except at halftime. In the first 7 minutes, costly mistakes led to Nebraska taking a dominating 20-0 lead over the side. Undeterred, captain Michael Ackerman led the team to a 21 point run in only 7 minutes, coming within reach of the comeback. Despite dominating the Nebraska defense in the second half, a single try put the Cornhuskers out of reach.
With a long break before the 2nd side’s final match of the day, everyone on the team watched the first side’s two final matchups against Aquinas and the University of Notre Dame. In the match against Aquinas, the Wolverines went up early with tries by Matthew Daines and Armen Vartanian. After the half, Aquinas managed to execute the comeback, taking the lead and ending the game with a 26-10 win over the Michigan 1s. Looking to make a statement, the first side faced off against hosts Notre Dame, who they hadn’t beaten in rugby 7s in multiple seasons. After a vicious back and forth, the sides were tied at half, thanks to the efforts of Alex Olsen and Tommy Hamman. Mustering the last of their energy, the first side showed a second half shutout in a 20-10 victory.
Immediately after, the 2s took the field against the Nebraska 2s for the second time in the tournament. After giving up an early try to Nebraska, the 2s tied it up with a try by Joshua Nicholson. The 2s didn’t let off the breaks for the rest of the match, putting up 43 points with the help of substitute players and water breaks. At the end of the day, both teams came away with less than what they were hoping for, but also with statement wins in their final display of the tournament.
Both sides will take a needed rest week before the first side takes the maize and blue to Quincy, Massachusetts for the Monumental 7s tournament hosted by the New England Free Jacks. Both sides will come together for the Big 10 tournament on April 13th.
