USD starts league with a win
On a rainy and windy day, USD took down LMU 44-31. USD did not play to the full potential of the team, but were able to secure a bonus point win none the less.
LMU would start the scoring off with an early penalty. USD quickly worked their way back up the field, with charging runs from Darren Seward and Andrew Lopez. Mickey Miller drove over and touched down for the first score. Shortly after, USD got a penalty and kicked to the corner. A driving maul took Adam Swete over the line to put USD up 10-3 with 20 minutes gone. USD allowed LMU to level the score, as the LMU wing went through multiple soft tackles from USD to dot down under the post. Several minutes after USD again charged back, with Adam Swete again diving over for a score. This would be converted to put the match at 17-10. Just before halftime, LMU put in another converted score to put the score at the half 17-17.
USD started sloppy and gifted LMU another try at the start of the second. This would put USD at their steepest deficit of the match, at 17-24 trailing. Then USD found it’s feet and cruised into a dominant 20 minute stretch. Between the 50th and 70th minute, USD put down a total of 5 tries. One was converted by Cameron Wilmer. Scoring during this period was Mickey Miller who dove over for his second. Matt Carter also dove over from close range, while Blake Limon was at the right place at the right time after a loose pass from the opposition. Adam Swete would also charge over for a 3rd score, completing his hat trick. Darren Seward completed an excellent day with a try in the 70th minute to conclude the scoring. USD was up 44-24 with 10 minutes remaining, and with many substitutes coming in to make impacts to finish the match. In the last minute, LMU put in a consolation try to make the final score 44-31.
USD took a while to get into the swing of things, but showed their fire power in the second half. It was by no means a complete performance, but there were many standout performances. Mickey Miller led from the front as captain, calling his own number from short range to score twice. Adam Swete was dominant, with consistent line out throws in 20MPH winds allowing USD to build a solid platform. He also contributed with a well earned hat trick for himself. Andrew Lopez showed what a modern tight head prop is capable of, as he provided dynamic play all across the park. Junior lock Darren Seward was another beast entirely. LMU simply had no answer for Seward on the day. Seward had frequent line breaks coupled with punishing tackles. He earned a try in the 70th, but his performance was much more dominant than his impact on the score sheet. Seward is Man of the Match for the opener. Next USD hosts USC at home, next Saturday Feb 9. Kickoff at 4:30 PM.
Final Score: USD 44- LMU 31
Man of the Match: Darren Seward
Starting Lineup
Pedro Gomez
Adam Swete
Andrew Lopez
Darren Seward
Johnathan Hale
Ryan McCool
Matt Carter
Cameron Miller
Brandon Arriaga
Cameron Wilmer
Mark Boschetti
Mickey Miller (C)
Isoa Moimoi
Blake Limon
Jordan Sandoval
Substitutions
Nick Classen (65’ Gomez)
Clayton Cervantes (65’ Lopez)
Adam Walter (70’ Seward)
Parker Rogers (65’ Carter)
Mikhail Mabourakh (45’ Hale)
Connor O’Shaugnessey (45’ Arriaga)
Avery Vandenberg (55’ Moimoi)
Matthew Desalvo
Scoring
Tries
3 Swete, 2 Miller, Carter, Limon, Seward
Conversions
2/8 Wilmer