Brockport Doggies Bite Danes, 34-21

Albany, NY- The Brockport Doggies defeated the UAlbany Great Danes, 34-21, in the final 2009 New York State Rugby Conference match for both teams. The victory puts Brockport into the top 3 and on to the national collegiate tournament while the Danes remained in 5th place above only Binghamton and Cortland.

Both teams had to contend with a steady rain, at times torrential, and slippery field conditions. Missed tackles proved to be the downfall for the Albany side. Brockport’s shifty runners reeked havoc amongst the Albany defense. Albany would continue to fight but could not slow the Brockport offense. Ambery, T, Schafsteck, Santander and Leahy all scored for the Danes.

Danes Out Run Cortland, 39-17

October 17, 2009
Albany, NY – Albany got back in the win column this week with a 39-17 win over SUNY Cortland. Albany opened up with a sluggish first half but would regroup and pour it on in the second forty. Albany was led by co-captain Jack Reisman’s 14 points on a try, penalty kick and 3 converisons. Fullback Rob Schafsteck had 2 trys on kick and chases scores. Alex Trataros, subbing in at wing for Tyler Fritz, scored two tries on the wing. Lock Anthony Russo rounded out the Albany scoring.

Danes Fall to St Bonaventure, 40-24

October 10, 2009
Albany, NY – Albany falls to St Bonaventure 40-24 to damper Albany’s homecoming. St Bonaventure got on the board first when Dennis Mulligan punched one in. 14 minutes later Albany prop Mike Falatyn took off the base of a ruck to plunge in for an unconverted score. St Bonaventure’s Darren Kmicinski would answer when he picked off a 22 meter drop out between two Albany players to scamper in untouched. Albany would bounce back again with center Tom Ambery’s score and a Jack Reisman conversion to bring the Danes within 2.

St Bonaventure would then gain momentum with a penalty kick by Sparks and try by Kmicinski. The Dane’s attempt at a comeback would start and end with a try each by hooker Ryan Wunder and his replacement Matt Shea sandwiched around St Bonaventure’s Will Atkinson try. Final 40-24. Poor tackling proved to be Albany’s down fall where 3 of the tries came right up the middle.

Danes Fall at Buffalo, 12-10

Buffalo, NY- As Willie Nelson sung” On the road againLike a band of gypsies we go down the highway” Albany rugby took to the highway for the 4th game in a row , this time a 10 hour round trip to the University at Buffalo, and lost a heartbreaker, 12-10. Buffalo struck early when Tom Ambery’s clearing kick was blocked and Bufflao’s Steve Jones fell on it in the try zone. Albany would knot the score at 5 with a Dave Santander score in which he touched down off of a driving maul.

Albany would strike first in the second half with lock Anthony Russo getting on the board with a score off of ruck ball. Play would continue back in forth with Albany keeping defensive pressure up but not being able to clear the ball deep enough to get out of their own end. Buffalo fly half Pat McCallum would finally find pay dirt off of a dummy scissors to slice through the line to bring the score to 12-10, conversion made. After a 30min delay for a passing thunder storm both teams took the field well rested for the final 19 min. With back and forth play continuing for some 10 minutes Albany got the momentum off defensive pressure. Albany was able to keep it on with 4 scrum downs and a penalty inside the UB 22 but unable to score. Numerous efforts fell just short against a superb 9 min defensive stand by UB.

Albany will get a nice dose of home cooking with a three game home stand, starting this Saturday against St Bonaventure on UAlbany’s home coming weekend.