USD moves to 3-0
USD moved to 3-0 with a 31-19 victory over Long Beach State. The two teams came into the match ranked #23 and #16 in the nation respectively.
The first half began with constant pressure from Long Beach inside the USD 22. The 49ers were inches away from the Torero’s goal line several times, but key turnovers from Michael Lewis and Logan Tatum kept the score sheet clean. After 20 minutes Long Beach opened the scoring with a try from fly-half Victor Gomez. USD stormed back and started playing in the right areas of the field. Deep kicks from Lewis and Jordan Sandoval pinned Long Beach deep in their own end. USd were able to exert pressure of their own, which resulted in tries from Hayden Laccabue and Oliver Kane before the half. Sandoval would go ½ on the conversions, making the score 12-5 at the half.
USD scored just 2 minutes into the second half to continue the momentum. Another deep kick from Lewis was chased well by the Torero backline, leading to a penalty just 5 meters out from the Long Beach goal line. Lewis took a quick tap and dove in for a try that was converted by Jordan Sandoval. Long Beach stormed back just minutes later, with fullback Jack Cortinas scoring the try. The conversion was made, bringing the teams back to within a score 19-12. USD again put offensive pressure on their opposition, and eventually Felix Morales dove over from short range for a try. Sandoval was again good on the conversion, making the score 26-12 with 55 minutes gone. The back and forth battle continue, with Long Beach attacking inside the Toreros 22 soon after. A lineout was stolen by Joey Shenton and the ball was quickly fed to substitute Jake Mitten. Mitten bowled over several defenders to make it to midfield, and USD gained a penalty in the ensuing ruck. A deep kick to the corner from Sandoval set an excellent attacking platform for the Toreros. USD again kept the ball in the forwards, with Tyler Shelley eventually diving in for a try. The score was unconverted but put USD up 31-12 with just over 60 minutes gone. Long Beach would score one more try from center Joseph Nuez, but would not be able to break the USD line again.
Final score: USD 31- LBSU 19
Director of Rugby Kevin Eaton on the win: “Huge win for our side today. Jason Reynolds run’s a top level program at Long Beach, and they have consistently been our biggest test for 10 years now. It was a complete team effort today, and we won because of our effort. The boys have remained so committed through numerous setbacks and delays this season, staying focused and always giving 100%. Charlie Purdon has led from the front all year, and developed all our players into better versions of themselves. The effort in the weight room under Scott Thomas was very apparent today, as we consistently won out in the physical contests. Assistant coaches Graham Wolfe and Brandon Arriaga have excelled as well in developing these players. A great win for us, but this is just the start”
The USD man of the match was captain Oliver Kane. Kane scored a try himself and was instrumental in several others. His work at tight head prop in the scrum set up the platform for USD, and his leadership was vital when the going got tough.
USD will host Western Washington in a non conference game on 3/26. They will then host Mira Costa on 4/2 and play at UCSD on 4/9 in conference play. If USD win’s either remaining conference game they will clinch the conference championship.
Final Score: 31-19
Man of the Match: Oliver Kane
Starting Lineup
1. Tyler Shelley
2. Logan Tatum
3. Oliver Kane ©
4. Hayden Laccabue
5. Nick Classen
6. Joey Shenton
7. Joey Varcoe
8. Michael Ramos
9. Carmine Derosa
10. Michael Lewis
11. Devin Hoovel
12. Micky O’Leary
13. Felix Morales
14. Paul Habeeb
15. Jordan Sandoval
Substitutes
16. Cameron Mahdavifar
17. Nick McConnell
18. Seni Fagbeni
19. Jake Mitten (50’ Varcoe)
20. Alex Lim
21. Eoin O’Callaghan
22. Ben Keefer (15’ O’Leary)
23. Jackson Short
Scoring
Tries
Laccabue, Kane, Lewis, Morales, Shelley
Conversions
3/5 Sandoval
Penalties
0/1 Sandoval
