WILMINGTON, N.C. - Lander men's rugby goes 3-1 on the day at UNC Wilmington and takes 3rd in the first stop of the Southern Rugby Conference 7s series.
In a conference field of 16 teams, Lander has a dominant performance going 3-1 and earns 8 series points on the SRC 7s series.
The Lander men start the morning, at UNC Wilmington, playing the College of Charleston. The Bearcats strike early with an Ethan Richardson try and Tomas Mussi conversion, in the first minute of the match. Three minutes later Jeremiah Rosenbrook shows a dummy pass and scores under the post, setting up an easy conversion for Mussi. In the last possession of the first half Hayden Bulwinkle gets, one of many line breaks on the day, and sets up a try by Erik Burkett. The Bearcats go into halftime up 19-0. The second half sees the Cougars get on the scoreboard in the third minute with a try. Austin Johnson answers for Lander by breaking the C of C defense and scores a try, followed by a conversion for Mussi. C of C does score again on the last possession and the Bearcats get the "W" 26-10!
Next up for the Lander was Furman University. In the last matchup between these two teams the Paladins edged the Bearcats scoring the go ahead try after the full time had expired. Soon after the kickoff Furman broke the Lander defense scoring a try and conversion in the first minute of the match. Shortly after receiving the ensuing kickoff Austin Johnson gets a line break and races to the try zone and Tomas Mussi converts to tie the score. Steady defense by both teams keeps neither team from scoring for the next few minutes, until the Paladins are able to reset their attack and find a hole in the Bearcats defense, scoring under the post. Johnson answers again very quickly and unfortunately Mussi's conversion is pulled to the left by the strong crossing wind. Furman takes a 12-14 lead into the half. The second half starts the same as the first, Furman gets a line break and scores an unconverted try in the corner to extend their lead. Freshman, Cleon Payne, comes into the match and is assisted by Hayden Bullwinkle and scores an unconverted try in the corner to narrow Furman's lead. On the next possession for Lander, Mussi gets a line break in the middle of the pitch scoring a try and converting the kick as well. WIth the Bearcats now ahead, Johnson puts the nail in the coffin with a try, earning a hat trick with his third try of the match. Mussi converts the kick and the Bearcats avenge their previous loss to the Paladins with a 31-19 victory!
Match number three has Lander against Western Carolina and either team will advance to the tournament semifinal with a win. Lander comes out firing with two Ethan Richardson tries back-to-back in the first two minutes of the match; both were converted by Tomas Mussi. Austin Johnson continues his try scoring streak and Mussi converts to end the half with the Bearcats up 21-0. Mussi gets into the try zone following a line break and is unable to convert. Eric Burkett is able to finish a line break with a try and the try is followed by a Mussi conversion. Lander gets their first shutout of the season 33-0!
The semifinal has the Bearcats facing The Citadel Bulldogs. This a budding rivalry with both teams very familiar with each other. This is sure to be a physical match with neither team willing to let up. The match did not disappoint and proved to be the tournament match of the day. Several minutes of strong defense and big hits are keeping neither team from scoring, until Eric Burkett gets a line break and scores the first try, followed by a conversion by Tomas Mussi. On the last play of the half the Bulldogs find the try zone and get the conversion, tying the score 7-7 at the half. In the first minute of the second half The Citadel scores in the corner and is unable to convert the kick giving them a five point lead. With stellar defense from Trey Runck and other Bearcats, the Lander men are able to give their attack a chance to score and Mussi hustles into the try zone to tie the score. In the last four minutes both attacks have possession, but neither team's defense is broken… We are going to overtime! Overtime has both teams getting their hands on the ball and both defenses are not relenting. In the fifth minute of sudden death, the Bulldogs are able to finally punch into the try zone and defeat the Bearcats 12-17. In the championship The Citadel tops the UNC Wilmington hosts for the tournament win.
This was the first stop in the SRC 7s series and a great start for the Bearcats. The next stop is at Furman on March 26. With the results from this tournament, Lander will be the number one seed in their "to be determined" pool.
On the day
Tries:
Austin Johnson - 5
Ethan Richardson - 3
Tomas Mussi - 3
Eric Burkett - 3
Jeremiah Rosenbrook - 1
Cleon Payne - 1
Conversions:
Tomas Mussi - 11 of 15
Austin Johnson - 0 of 1
Points:
Tomas Mussi - 37
Austin Johnson - 25
Ethan Richardson - 15
Eric Burkett - 15
Jeremiah Rosenbrook - 5
Cleon Payne - 5
Bearcat of the Day:
Austin Johnson
