A-State Rugby Wins Season Opener хЪ
JONESBORO —Arkansas State University’s rugby team delivered a knock out punch to the University of Arkansas Saturday afternoon, when the varsity team won, 55-0, at the Little Rock Men’s Club. It was the fall season opener for A-State.
“We planned to go into the game focusing on the basics so we could build from it moving on to the next game,” said A-State Head Coach Shaun Potgieter.
Arkansas State started off with a bang, scoring within the first minute of the game.
“Toward the middle and end of the first half, we got a bit loose with our offloads and decision making,” added Potgieter. “At halftime we talked about having high standards and being critical about our focus for every minute of the game. We started off focused in the second half and cleaned up our attack.”
Sophomore Zach Young led the scoring efforts with a successful three tries for the varsity squad. But, he wasn’t alone. Nick Abreus, a junior wing, got A-State on the board first, 5-0, with a try from the corner. The Houston, Texas, native scored on two tries, along with junior Neil Maestri, who also hails from Houston.
Kuda Makuvire, a senior from Harare, Zimbabwe, and Austin Bush, a senior from Rowlett, Texas, each scored on a try. A-State led, 31-0, at the half.
“I am very pleased with the team’s performance,” said Potgieter. “We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year.”
The two junior varsity teams clashed shortly after the completion of the varsity game with A-State defeating the Razorbacks, 62-0. Eight different Red Wolves scored points off tries, including Tomas Hodgers who had two. The others were Jake Ray, Preston Weigel, Noe Pena, Calvin Gentry, Nick Marshall, Terrance Kennell and Sam Ross.
Arkansas State hosts Lindenwood University, Saturday, Sept. 17, in a junior varsity matchup at 3 p.m. at Curt Huckaby Field.
