Match Recap- USD vs Long Beach State
USD played well in a physical game vs Long Beach State but ended up on the wrong side of the score sheet 10-24. USD was strong defensively but was hurt by a high penalty count and a yellow card just before half time.
The game started with an extended period of USD possession, and several chances for USD to score. USD could not execute at the set piece and missed a penalty kick. The points left off the board would be the difference in the game. 20 minutes in Isoa Moimoi intercepted a Long Beach State pass and ran in to score. The try was called back as the referee deemed USD to have knocked the ball at a line out a couple phases earlier. USD was forced to play defense for the rest of the half, and while the line speed and tackle completion were both solid, the penalty count on USD rose. Long Beach was able to capitalize on the field position from the penalties and scored two tries before halftime. The score would land at 12-0 at the half.
USD started the second half a man down, as Isoa Moimoi was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Despite the disadvantage, USD started hot and finally got points on the board. A clearance kick from Long Beach was well handled by fullback Cameron Wilmer who led Jordan Sandoval into a gap in the defense. Sandoval outpaced several long beach players to put the score at 5-12 in favor of Long Beach. Unfortunately, this was as close as USD would get on the scoreboard. Long Beach struck back and capitalized on the man advantage, scoring a try before Moimoi returned to the field. Another try would follow and put the score at 5-24. USD continued to make execution errors in the second half that prevented them from scoring points. After a period of solid offensive play, Ty Helfrich carried several defenders over for USD’s second try of the day. The scoreline of 10-24 would stand until full time.
USD simply made too many unforced errors to win the game. In open play USD met and matched the oppositions, but were on the wrong side of the penalty count all day. There were some solid performances on the USD side of the ball. Jordan Sandoval and Cameron Wilmer both did well in new positions, and the USD counter attack was solid under their guidance. Senior Darren Seward put in a huge shift as usual, with a physical brand of rugby that is unmatched. Rookie prop Ty Helfrich consistently got over the gain line and showed massive heart to put a try in late. USD’s man of the match is Mark Boschetti. The sophomore outside center is improving every game, and was immense against Long Beach. Big breaks and crunching tackles from Boschetti are now the norm, and he put in another solid 80 minute effort.
USD will now prepare to host league leaders and reigning national champions Claremont Colleges. The game will be Saturday 2/29 at noon.
Final Score: USD 10- Long Beach 24
Man of the Match: Mark Boschetti
Starting Lineup
Nick Classen
Clayton Cervantes
Ty Helfrich
Jonathan Hale
Thomas Olson
Cameron Miller (C)
Wyatt Darien
Darren Seward
Brandon Arriaga
Jordan Sandoval
Henri Vatinel
Isoa Moimoi
Mark Boschetti
Ben Keefer
Cameron Wilmer
Substitutions
16. Michael Ramos (55’ Olson)
17. Felix Morales (40’ Cervantes)
18. Parker Rogers (60’ Keefer)
19. Conor O’Shaughnessy (60’ Arriaga)
20.Ryle Rel (65’ Darien)
21. Victor Lysenko (70’ Hale)
22. Matt Desalvo (70’ Vatinel)
Scoring
Tries
Sandoval, Helfrich
Conversions
Arriaga 0/1 Sandoval 0/1
Penalties
Vatinel 0/1