University of Dallas News

Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Sports

Greg Deschler gets tackled.

Thomas Weigel struggles for possession of the ball.

Layne Murdoch runs past a UNT player.

This past weekend the University of Dallas rugby club lost to the University of North Texas in a drawn out 32-29 match. Characterized by strong defense and excellent team play, the game was an excellent example of rugby at its finest as both sides valiantly fought to remain on top. However, unable to keep up the same fighting spirit that they demonstrated in the first 40 minutes, the Hoggies were eventually bested, thus eliminating them from competing in the Division II rugby playoffs, and marking the end to their otherwise magnificent season.

The first half of the game got off to a raring start as the Hoggies fought fearlessly to maintain possession. Aided by the team's legendary hooker, Josh Mahan, and Travis 'Bawitdaba' Cook, UD won ruck over ruck against UNT.

With the ball in UD's hands, the Hoggies then tirelessly quarter-backed the ball to their forwards, making exceptional gains that brought them within scoring territory. On one such occasion, UD's forward Nick 'Gorilla' Thompson even managed to break the UNT line; coming off of a UNT penalty, UD's forwards mauled their way until they were only inches from scoring, at which time Thompson threw his weight into the opposing side and therein crossed the goal line, completing the Hoggies' first tri of the game.

But the UNT was not to be outdone that quickly. Off of an opposing kick, UNT countered UD with one of their own spectacular runs, in which UD's backs were unable to complete the tackle.

Yet by their sheer determination, UD would not allow UNT to outscore them in the first half. In similar fashion to UD's first tri, Thomas "White Cobra" Whisenant inched his way into the tri zone by quarterbacking the ball. Thus, UD completed the first half, leading UNT at 10-7.

After the break, however, the game took a radical change.

Unable to muster the same type of momentum that they had in the first half, UNT quickly broke down the UD back line. Off two missed tackles, UNT made two brilliant tries in the back line, and subsequently UD was forced to play catch-up, which they did only to a degree.

Under pressure and with the game winding down, UD did give a courageous effort. With a dazzling score from Thomas 'Stallion' Weigel and a last second tri from Nick 'Pineapple Express' Klein, UD's forwards put the Hoggies within three points of UNT in the last three minutes of the game, which gave UD hope and encouragement. Yet these last second attempts proved not enough.

With time winding down, UNT managed to hold onto the ball and stop any further attempts. Thus, after a long and beautiful season, UD's loss took them out of the running for the regional playoffs and ended their 2008-2009 year of play.

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