USD moves to 3-0 vs APU
On senior day USD matched up to a much larger Azusa Pacific team, and came out on top 34-20.
USD started fast, with captain Mickey Miller overpowering a couple players to touch down in the corner for a score. Azusa Pacific would strike back soon after with a penalty kick from fly half Parker Vincent. Vincent had a solid day for Azusa, kicking well and putting cougars in favorable positions. With the score at 5-3 10 minutes in, USD found their rhythm and spent some time in the APU 22. A kick and chase almost led to a score, but APU were able to prevent a try with some stout defense. With an APU scrum 5 meters out, the Cougars looked to exit from the shadow of the goal posts. USD had other ideas, stealing the ball in the scrum. Cameron Wilmer received the ball and scored likely the easiest try he will ever get, trotting under the posts for a try. Adam Swete converted and USD were up 12-3. The Cougars would answer back soon after. USD threw a poor pass that bounced favorably into the hands of the APU center. The big center did well to break a tackle and offload to a team mate who raced away to score in the corner. USD now led 12-8 despite having the majority of possession and territory.
USD stormed back before half time, moving up the field but not quite putting everything together for a score. A great counter attack sparked by fullback Jordan Sandoval put USD back inside the APU 22. Patient play from USD led to Cameron Miller dotting down for the Torero’s third try of the day. Miller was helped over the line by the USD front row, who did well to push Miller through a few defenders and then down for a try. The score would be 17-8 in favor of USD at the half.
As the second half began, USD spent most of their efforts bringing down the much larger forward back of APU. Giving up quite a bit in height and weight across the board, USD was pushed to the edge brining down the big carriers. A goal line stand was punctuated by Adam Swete stealing the ball, allowing the Toreros to exit the dangerous zone. They were soon awarded with a scrum just outside their own 22. With the score at 17-8 in the 55th minute, USD needed a spark to lead them to victory. Wyatt Darien took a pick off the base of the scrum and broke a tackle for a line break. The APU fullback brought him down, but USD was ready in support. Mickey Miller picked the ball up quick and darted down the weak side. As a couple APU defenders converged on him, so Miller wisely dished the ball to Avery Vandenberg on the wing. Vandenberg had a lot of work to do, and put a perfectly weighted kick through to chase. Vandenberg was first to the ball, but was tackled before he was able to touch down the ball in try zone. The referee correctly awarded USD with a penalty try, giving them 7 points with no conversion needed. With the score at 24-8 the game was never in doubt for the remainder.
Vandenberg was almost in for a second just a couple minutes later. He pounced on a loose pass and nearly went the distance for a long score. He was pushed out just inside the APU 22, and rightfully called out by the USD player running as touch judge. Despite not scoring, USD carried on the attacking mentality. On the ensuing lineout, Wyatt Darien put a crunching hit on the APU 9. The ball spilled out and USD recovered, with Matt Carter diving over and being deemed to be held up. With a put in 5 out, USD made no mistake. A pick from Darien put the Toreros on the goal line, and within inched of another try. Scrum Half Conor O’Shaugnessey took a cheeky pick himself, and darted around the APU pack for a score. It was a fitting play for the scrum half who played more like a flanker on the day, making tackles and tacking pick and go’s like a true forward.
The score was 29-8 at this point with 15 minutes left to play in the game. USD took their foot off the gas and let in an easy try for APU to put the score at 29-13. Wanting to put more distance between the teams, USD would put another score on the board. Perhaps the best and most promising try of the day came from a connection between two USD freshman. Jordan Sandoval fed outside center Mark Boschetti on a nice unders line. Boschetti burst through and was brought down just outside the APU 22. Boschetti popped the ball up perfectly to a streaking Sandoval, who sold a dummy to the last defender and ran in for the final score of the day. The point total rose to 34 for USD, making it their 3rd straight game with over 30 points. It was a good end to a great day for Sandoval, who had his best game yet for USD. APU would put one more try in on the final play of the game, showing good resolve despite the score line. The converted try put the final score at 34-20 in favor of USD.
It was a strong but certainly not perfect performance for USD. Hooker Adam Swete had another very good performance for USD. While he was not able to make a big offensive impact, Swete was sound in the tackle area and came through with several massive turnovers for USD. Matt Carter was the smallest forward the field but put his body on the line to tackle any and all APU ball carrier that came his way. Avery Vandenberg was lethal in attack, scoring once but looking very dangerous on all occasions. No performance on the day was stronger than man of the match Mickey Miller. Miller started the scoring for USD, but made the defensive impact that the game needed. The inside center was good for a few crunching hits on the opposing back line, and drove APU forwards back time and time again as well. USD will continue to work as they prepare for their next league game against power house Long Beach State on 3/16.
Final Score: USD 34- APU 20
Man of the Match: Mickey Miller
Starting Lineup
Pedro Gomez
Adam Swete
Andrew Lopez
Darren Seward
Cameron Miller
Ryan McCool
Matt Carter
Wyatt Darien
Conor O’Shaugnessey
Cameron Wilmer
Avery Vandenberg
Mickey Miller (C)
Mark Boschetti
Henri Vatinel
Jordan Sandoval
Substituions
16. Clayton Cervantes (75’ Gomez)
17. Nick Classen
18. Jonathan Hale (55’ C. Miller)
19. Adam Walter
20. Parker Rogers (65’ McCool)
21. Blake Limon (65’ Wilmer)
22. Isoa Moimoi (75’ Boschetti)
23. Brett Filippin (75’ Vatinel)