Sirkia Kicks Middlebury Past Albany

Courtsy of Rugby Magazine

Written by Alex Goff Saturday, 08 October 2011 22:34

Sirkia Kicks Middlebury Past Albany
Middlebury claimed a hard-won victory 29-22 over SUNY Albany Saturday, coming back from a 17-12 deficit to win.

The Vermont school has been hit hard by injuries and struggled with keeping it together on a hot, 80-degree day.

They also struggled with scoring tries, but were fortunate to have scrumhalf Brian Sirkia there to kick goals. Sirkia notched four penalties in the first half to tries by Albany prop Tyler Coyle, wing Brian Cordero and No. 8 Antony Russo. Center Dan McNammara added a conversion for the 17-12 lead at halftime.

But Middlebury stormed out of the gates in the second half, pinning Albany in their end and forcing Albany into more penalties. Sirkia was good on four more to put his side ahead 24-17 with 15 minutes to go.

“After the game I asked Brian, ‘what did you say to them?’” said Middlebury Head Coach John Phillips. “Somebody said something because we were just more intense – we rucked better and tackled much better.”

With 15 minutes to go sub flanker Sam Murray inserted into the backline and ran a smart angle to score Middlebury’s only try of the match to make it 29-17.

Albany tried to come back, and scored a try through sub prop Justin Barends, but it wasn’t enough.

It was a game where the teams held dominance in different areas, but Middlebury emerged winners because they didn’t commit penalties, Albany did, and Sirkia’s kicking was almost perfect.

“Middlebury’s patience and discipline carried them throughout the game,” said Albany Head Coach John Durant.

SUNY Albany Holds Off BC

Written by Alex Goff Saturday, 01 October 2011 12:17

SUNY Albany Holds Off BC
SUNY Albany edged Boston College 19-18 Friday in the opening East Coast Rugby Conference match for both college teams.

Played on the artificial turf field at Amesbury Sports Park, and finished under the lights, the match was a tight one all the way.

BC dominated early play, scoring through Jake O'Brien and Kyle McVicker at 16 and 20 minutes, respectively. Up 10-0, the Eagles perhaps through they'd roll. But several attacks close to the Albany tryline ended with knock-ons, and let off the hook, the New Yorkers came back.

Adrian Newell ran in two tries later in the first half, the second converted by Daniel McNamara for a 12-10 lead. BC's John Casey clotted a penalty with six minutes left in the half to put his side up 13-12 at the break.

That slim lead lasted well into the second half as both sides played aggressive rugby but couldn't claim any points for their efforts. Late in second half, Albany turned over ball after a BC attack, and countered. Sean Kimmins touched down for the try, and McNamara's conversion gave Albany a 19-13 lead with time winding down.

Seven minutes later BC responded with a try of their own, with sub John Potapchuk claiming the score in the corner. Casey had a tough conversion attempt to take the lead and his effort drifted wide.

As the game came to a close, BC got a penalty, but Casey was no good with the attempt, and Albany held on 19-18.

Danes Level Law

Albany, NY. The Dane’s wrapped up their pre-conference schedule by hosting cross town foes, Albany Law School. The Dane’s started quick with 8 man Anthony Russo making a break off of the opening kick off and feeding #10 Jeff Lahens for a score in the corner 25 seconds into the game. 7 minutes later the duo would strike again this time Russo would score the try and Lahens converted. Lahens would close the first half scoring with a nice dummy and keep into the try zone. Danes 17 – Law 0.

Albany Law picked up their level in the second half with Joe Zapone scoring as the result of some nice Law rucks. The Dane’s would answer 3 time with #9 Mo Aisi scored off a weakside scrum move, #15 Dylan Gandy’s counter off of a Law clearing kick and Kimmins nifty run through the Law defense. Former Dane center, Mike Tedesco would close all scoring with a long run up the sideline for his current Law team to notch Law’s 10th point of the game. Final; Danes 32-Law 10.

The Dane’s controlled the scrum downs which made a great platform for attack. #10 Jeff Lahens was able to take the ball on the run and create pressure on Law’s back line. The Dane’s also controlled the breakdowns, allowing for a multi phased attack. All and all a good effort by the Danes.

Game notes: Dane Alumni Mike Tedesco [center] and Matt Zappala[#8] both suited up for the Law side. Mike is finishing his third year and Matt is in his first semester. The Danes B side lsot 10-0 to Law with many raw rookies in the line up. The Danes start East Coast Rugby Conference play next Saturday when they travel to Storrs, CT to face Uconn.

Danes Handle Hudson Valley B, 46-0

Kingston,NY- The Danes' Purple side traveled to Kingston to take on the Hudson Valley Rugby Club's second side in another pre-season match up for Albany. Anthony Russo led off the Albany scoring with a take off of ruck ball inside the HV 10. HV would try and counter with gutsy forward play that enabled them to maintain possession for a good 15 mins but were unable to punch it in against the stingy Albany defense. Albany gained the ball after a clearing kick was muffed and Dan McNamarra grabbed it on the run to feed Justin Barends who sprinted in 22 meters for the score. Mo Aisi would add a score to close the half with nifty outside of the foot grubber which he scooped and scored. Albany 17-0 at the half.

The second half was all Albany. HV could not match Albany's fitness and outside half speed. Russo (2), Lahens, Newell, and Henrguez would all score off of breakouts from hsyt inside the 50. 46-0 final.

The Danes' Black side traveled to Troy, NY to play RPI's B and one a nailbiter, 24-23. Game details not available at time of stroy.

Danes lose at combine to Brown, 64-0

The Great Danes traveled to Providence,RI for a combined session and game with Brown University Saturday. Brown U and former US U19 coach David LaFlamme put Albany through some contact drills. Albany was instructed in the system that Brown uses and that is used in the US Eagles program. Players gained a higer level of understanding as to what is needed to be done to become a top US rugby program.

Unfortunately the undermanned Albany side was no match for Brown on the pitch. Brown's big men slashed through the Albany defense creating great space for their backline to work with. Several Albany players showed great effort but could not stay with Brown. Final, Brown 64- Albany 0.

RPI Routs Albany, 36-20

Troy, NY – RPI routed rival UAlbany Thursday in a early season non conference match up, 36-20. RPI’s combination of fly half Kevin Stolle and 8 man Mike Taglifirro accounted for all of ROI’s points. Stolle started the scoring as he found a seem in Albany’s defense and scored under the posts after a 30 meter run. Taglifirro followed by picking up a ball off of an Albany turnover and scampering 30 meters untouched to paydirt. Albany’s outside wing Ryan Grant’s score in the corner gave Albany hope for a comeback. However, a costly Albany penalty enabled the strong footed Stolle to convert a PK to end the half at 24-5.

Albany came out fired up for the second half with 8 man Anthony Russo scoring for Albany early in the half. Albany would notch another score by Mo Aisi with a nice break down the sideline. Momentum stalled for Albany as RPI dynamic duo would add 14 points off of two Talifirro tries and 2 Stolle conversions. Albany’s Dylan Gandy would add a late score for Albany. Albany coach John Durant’s was impressed with RPI”s level of play “10 and 8 completely controlled the game. RPI played hard and deserved the win. My boys were had good preparation coming into the game but were mentally out of it after Stolle’s first score. We mad a ton of offensive mistakes that cost us dearly.”

Stolle’s 4 conversions ,penalty kick and a try gave him 12 points on the nigh but could not match his running mate, Taglifirro’s hat trick of 3 tries for a 15 point total.

Albany Notes: Albany takes to the road this Saturday for a combined practice and scrimmage with the IVY’s Brown University. The Danes’s are using this rigorous pre league schedule to prepare for their inaugural season in the newly formed East Coast Rugby Conference.

Danes Florida Tour 2011

Albany,NY- The Danes left Albany on Friday for a two game stint in Orlando,FL. The Danes small tour roster opened the slate, after a 24 hour bus ride and 2 days of sun burns, took on the Orlando RFC in a Tuesday night contest at Barnett Park, Orlando's well drilled pack controlled 80 percent of the games set pieces but Albany was able to stay in the game with good loose and lineout play. Albany first score came when flanker Kris Kaiser quicked tapped a penalty just outside of 10 meters. Kyle Grogan would add another score of a goaline ruck with Mo Aisi adding both conversitons. However Orlando's pack proved to be the difference providing their backs with the platform to score four converted tries to take the contest 28-14. After a rest day Albany finishes the tour against the University of Central Florida at UCF's main campus.

Danes O Four at SUNY Tournament

Latham,NY- Danes lose tough one against eventual champion and go on to o four the tournament. Albany used the day to get great experience for many of the young and inexperienced players. Coach Durant commented "We hoped to contend but it did not work out, We were ,however,"
Albany travels for a two game Florida Tour with game against the Orlando Rugby Club and the Universtiy of Central Florida.

Rugby Magazine write up:

Written by RUGBYMag.com News Release Sunday, 10 April 2011 00:00

Binghamton Wins SUNY Championship
Binghamton held on to take the resurrected SUNY (State University of New York) Rugby Championship in Albany, NY Saturday. Featuring suffocating defense and a creative backline attack, lead by outside center and tournament MVP Noah Reichman, Binghamton held off Buffalo to win the DI bracket. SUNY Geneseo captured DII honors in an exciting finish over New Platz.

The DI bracket was a five-team round-robin format with each team playing four shortened games, receiving four points for a win and a bonus point for scoring four tries. Binghamton got off to an early start defeating host Albany 17-10, and Buffalo won a nail biter over rival Brockport 14-13. Brockport saw the win slip away after missing a penalty kick on the last play of the game.

Stony Brook got off to a good start by defeating Albany 29-7. Stony Brook also won over Brockport 18-7 and lost to Binghamton 12-24. In one of the most exciting games of the day, Binghamton dispatched Buffalo in a narrow 7-0 win. In one of the upsets of the day, Brockport went up on Binghamton 28-0 in the first half and held on for a 31-24 win.

Albany took the wooden spoon losing to Brockport 24-12 and Buffalo 42-0. In the last game of the day, Stony Brook faced off against Buffalo with either team having the opportunity to take the championship with a four-try bonus point win. In a tight first half, Buffalo lead 7-5. After the turnaround, Buffalo dominated the second half and scored two more tries, but came up short on the fourth try with the game ending on the Stony Brook goal line, handing the championship to Binghamton.

DI STANDINGS
Binghamton 3-1 13*
Buffalo 3-1 13
Stony Brook 2-2 9
Brockport 2-2 9
Albany 0-4 0

*won head to head vs. Buffalo

Danes booted at Fordham U,18-15

Bronx-NY- Fordham defeated the University of Albany 18-15 on its home turf at Murphy Field. Albany got scores from Anthony Russo and Mo Asisi in the first halv. Albany led at the 12-7.
Fordham's Number 9, Jared Rozowsky was man of the match, scoring 8 points through one conversion and two key penalty kicks from over 25 meters out. Those kicks put the Rams up for good in the second half. Albany flyhalf Jeff Lahens would notch an unconverted try late in the game.

Danes drop spring opener at Vassar,17-10

Courtesy of Vassar College:

By Head Coach Tony Brown
3/26/2011
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (March 26, 2011) -- The last three games played on tour in Barbados were all close hard fought encounters that Vassar was unable to win. Narrow losses hurt! But maybe it was the change in temperature (Barbados 83 degrees/Poughkeepsie 33 degrees!), maybe it was the presence of alumni Winston Clement and Andrew Abshere, or perhaps it was just a dogged attitude, in any event the Brewers not only won this close one but deserved to emerge the victors.

Vassar College Men 17 v SUNY-Albany Men 10

Tries: Tyler Blake (1), Daniel Flynn (1), & Garrett Montgomery (1).

Cons: Brett Anker (1).


The first 15 minutes was all too ominious for the home team as they were bulldozed backwards and it seemed that all the issues that plagued them on tour
would yet again be there undoing! A couple of lineouts lost, two kicks to touch misssed, and some turnover ball that was returned with territorial interest
allowed Albany to go ahead 5-0 and get their tails up.


Albany and Vassar have played at this time of year for a number of years and the games have always been close. They bring a can-do approach, run hard with
purpose, and hit hard. Credit the Vassar defense in that first quarter for putting in some sterling tackles and maintaining their shape. Zach Kent, the
fullback in the fall for Vassar, looks much more comfortable on the wing. He exemplified the great team attitude when he intelligently defended the blindside on an Albany break and tracked back between the ball carrier and his opposite number intercepting what probably would have been a scoring pass. Brett Anker, now at 15, made up for his missed kicks to touch with a try saving tackle and the Vassar 10, 12, 13 combination was solid in contact.


Having weathered the initial Albany pressure Vassar put some good multiphase rugby together and it was prop Tyler Blake who dived over from a yard out
to tie the game at 5-5. That was around the 25 minute mark and there was no more scoring in the first half as both teams knocked off the Northeast rugby
rust of winter.


Although the second half started badly for Vassar as they again were victim to the physically strong forward surges they did hold and penalties enabled
them to punt deep into the Albany half. From a lineout some 25 yards out Iain Gordon gathered and the drive was fast and immediate. Rookie Dan Flynn
was driven over and Vassar led 10-5. The cold swirling wind made conversions very difficult as Anker pushed his attempt across the front of the posts.


One major difference between the teams was the amount of kicking for position. Vassar opted to keep the ball in hand whereas Albany put in a number
of kicks. So it was certainly ironic that from an attempted clearance kick by Vassar flyhalf James Purtle that Albany scored! The kick failed to make
touch and the Albany left wing scooted over. Vassar's Kendall Coleman perhaps should have made the first up tackle but with the conversion missed it
was 10-10.


Purtle did not let the poor kick phase him for he continued to run with massive conviction and consistently took responsibility in the tricky
conditions getting over the gain line. He did not lose the ball in contact, a marked improvement on his tour performances, and it was a significant
factor in the team's victory.


The Vassar halfbacks, Garrett Montgomery and Purtle, overshadowed their opposite numbers and began to link with an uncanny understanding. Three times
they excehnged perfectly weighted passes that allowed the receiver to burst through gaps in Albany's defensive line. The last one was a gem and
Montgomery scored and Vassar was up 17-10 with 5 minutes left!


So, having let the previous 3 games get away from them the Brewers were faced with the same scenario. This time they managed the final minutes much
better even though they had one scare when they turned the ball over. Kudos to this entire squad for battling hard and getting a solid win.


Team: 15 Brett Anker 14 Kendall Coleman 13 Jerry Dieudonne 12 Karl Foley 11 Zach Kent 10 James Purtle 9 Garrett Montgomery 1 Jehan Shams 2 Brian
Carvajal 3 Tyler Blake 4 Ian Ruginski 5 Aidan Kahn 6 Dillon Tysinski 7 Alan Kenney 8 Iain Gordon Subs: Dan Flynn for Dillon Tysinski.


Overall 2010-11 record: 5-6-1.


Next: Saturday April 2nd, 2011 versus SUNY-New Paltz at Vassar KO 11:00 am


Vassar College Men "B" 14 v SUNY-Albany Men "B" 5

Tries: Jerry Dieudonne(1), Kendall Coleman (1).

Cons: Brett Anker (2).


This game was just as tight as the first and again Vassar earned the win. The forwards faced a monster pack from Albany but got low and scrummaged strongly. A number of players doubled up so that everyone got a run out and they performed well in the shortened halves.


Anker playing at 9 was effective and will get another look at this position. He tackled his opposite number well at the base of the scrum and distributed with a decent pass to his number 10.


The first Vassar try came in the second half as Jerry Dieudonne just kept breaking tackles as players outside him implored him to pass the ball! Dieudonne is probably better suited to play flanker but no-one was arguing his merits at center when he gave Vassar a 7-0 lead. Albany tied matters up before Coleman showed everyone a clean pair of heels as he darted away to secure the win. Anker kicked both conversions.


Team: 15 Aidan Kahn 14 Haydon Moon 13 Kendall Coleman 12 Jerry Dieudonne 11 Jonah Orr 10 Karl Foley 9 Brett Anker 1 Zac Hays 2 Alan Kenney 3 Dan Flynn 4 Jonathan Chu 5 Ian Ruginski 6 Parker Reeves 7 Iain Gordon 8 Matt Elisofon. Subs: Dillon Tysinski for Jonah Orr.


Injured: Barrington Archer, Joe Karpman, Adam Steel, Andrew Jdaydani, Nic Placeres, Akeel St. Vil, Evan Obligin, Rahul Kanade, and Roku Fukui.

JYA: Hal Moore, Sam Thomas, and Andrew Massey.

Unavailable: Kris Adkins, Brandon Greene, Rob Rooney, Zach Beauchamp, CJ LeSueur, Zach Wasser, Nic Campell-Seremetis