Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — This fall, Southern Connecticut men’s rugby team has gotten off to a 2-1 record with wins over Merrimack University and Saint Anselm College. As a Division I club, the Owls have managed to stay competitive with every team despite losing a lot of players said forward hook Cooper Kean.
“Last year,” said Kean, “we had 17 seniors leave the team. So 17 kids graduated and that was our A-team that was our starting team.”
Heading into the new season, Kean said the players who went in the first game did a good job in playing their role and helping the team as best as they could.
“Our first game we had five rookies on the field,” said Kean. “They never played before or either played a half of semester which is fantastic and is a huge credit to all the older guys on the team and the coach.”
With rugby being a club at Southern Connecticut but playing on a Division-I level, students are welcomed to join the club and become a part of the rapid growing sport.
With the kickoff of the season already in second gear, Kean said despite the loss of many players from last year, the new players are meshing in well and providing a lot of help to the team.
“It’s a bunch of new people,” said Kean, “it’s the first time we had this many and it’s great. It’s easier when there’s a lot of people because you’re new together.”
Chemistry on and off the field has played a major role with the Owls on getting familiar with all the new people and becoming one as a team. Kean said this year’s bonding within teammates is as good as it’s ever been.
“Our chemistry is great, I love it,” said Kean, “It’s much better than it was last year. It’s a big group of goofy guys simple as that.”
With their eyes on one goal and one goal only, Kean said the in order to win a title this year, knowledge of the sport for every player is very important.
“Knowing the game is first,” said Kean. “We’re an incredibly fit team right now and we can run any team off their feet. But just knowing the game is what we need to do because we have a bunch of new players.”
With the loss in the hands of Bryant University 19-5, rookie Eddie Rodriguez said his team has the potential to be very special this year.
“We play hard every game we had this season,” said Rodriguez, who plays wing. “Everyone on the team is doing their job and that’s what we need from every player each game.”
This is Rodriguez’s first semester here at Southern and his first time playing rugby in his life. Rodriguez said the team chemistry from the first time he met them has been welcoming.
“Everyone is nice and helpful,” said Rodriguez. “I’m learning the game more and more and I’m actually starting this year as well so it’s going good.”
With a huge game for the Owls coming up against Holy Cross, the Owls’ preparation in practice has been detailed and consistent. Rodriguez said there expectations against Holy Cross are simple, do whatever it takes to win.
“We got our injured players back so we’re pretty healthy this week.,” said Rodriguez, “It will definitely be a good game. Holy Cross is undefeated and there pretty good so were definitely going to have to play hard this weekend.”
Rodriguez said the team would like to see a lot of people at the games this year because his team would give them a good game from beginning to end.
“Fans would see a high intense game,” said Rodriguez. “They would see that this sport is very entertaining and is also a hard sport to play. They will see us battle and go hard for our fans and everyone should come down.”
