USD Rookies get a win against UCSD
Cross town rivals UCSD came to play a midweek game at USD. The game was a great opportunity for USD’s young players to get their first game time. 9 players in the starting lineup made their first collegiate appearance, with some of them playing their first ever game of rugby.
The side was captained by Pedro Gomez, who led from the front all day at prop. The game started very well for USD, as the side commanded possession and territory. After some pressure, Ty Helfrich burst through to put down the first try. A few minutes later USD were back on the front foot, and winger Jacob Hardy snuck in on a pick and go. UCSD found their legs after the initial barrage and started to work their way up field. A turnover put the ball in Mark Boschetti’s hands, and he did not disappoint. The sophomore center was playing his first game at fly half, and bust onto the ball at full speed and through the line. 60 meters and several broken tackles later, he was in for the score. USD was not done for the half, with freshman Michael Ramos barging over for a score as well. UCSD would score a counter attack try before half time to get points on the board. It was a physically dominant first half for the USD forward pack, leading to an impressive 26-7 lead at the half.
The second half started off with more of the same for USD. Pedro Gomez scored from close range to put the team further ahead. That score was quickly followed up by a second for Michael Ramos, an impressive stat in his first game for USD. Again UCSD found it’s form and came charging back up field. The result of their attack was a lineout for USD near their own goal line. It was a dangerous situation for the Toreros, and exiting this area of the field was crucial. The lineout was won, and Ramos got the ball on a crash line. He burst through the defensive line and opened up the legs to show some impressive speed. The UCSD fullback eventually brought Ramos down, but not before he made it well into the oppositions half. Great support and a quick ruck got the ball to Pedro Gomez in space. The loose head prop put one in for the front row union, out pacing several of the UCSD backs to score the best try of the day. Due to a cut on the eye to Boschetti, USD ended up playing the rest of the game a man down. The numbers advantage led to a few trys for UCSD, including Finn McCarthy. The USD freshman suited up for the opposition to make sure they had a full side, and did well to score a try for the opposition.
It was a great showing for such a young side, and a well earned victory. The forward pack was immense all night, stealing scrums and lineouts frequently. Freshman lock Thomas Olson was a menace and disrupted the oppositions lineouts often. His lock partner Jonny Hale was a bruiser all night, breaking tackles and delivering big hits. Pedro Gomez was excellent leading from the front, and scored the points to show for it. Despite these great performances, one stood out as head and shoulders above the rest. Michael Ramos was outstanding in his first game for USD. He was never brought down by the first tackler, and put in some thunderous hits on defense. The future is very bright for Ramos and the rest of the USD young players!
Final Score: USD 41- UCSD 22
Starting Lineup
Pedro Gomez (C)
Clayton Cervantes
Ty Helfrich
Jonny Hale
Thomas Olson
Chris Lunde
Michael Ramos
Wyatt Darien
Antonio Gomez de Oliveira
Mark Boschetti
Jacob Hardy
Camilo Navarro
Gave DePaolo
Finn McCarthy
David Alba Burbano
Subs
16. Joey Shenton (45’ McCarthy)
17. Adam Walter (40’ Darien)
Scoring
Tries
2 Gomez, 2 Ramos, Boschetti, Hardy, Helfrich
Conversions
Navarro 3/7