Boston College rugby moved to 2-1 in its conference after a road loss to Northeastern (2-1) on Saturday.
NU set the pace for the first half with a quick score in the first four minutes of the game, despite stalwart opposition from BC's forwards that kept NU's pack from pushing through to score. They ultimately passed wide to the sidelines and dove into the corner of the try zone. A missed kick held the opening score to 5-0.
The Maddogs continued to control the game with an oppressive kicking game that kept the ball in BC territory. BC, unable to hold off NU, allowed a second score at the 10-minute mark of the first half. "They kicked really well right off the bat," said junior Kyle Ramachandran. "It took us some time to adjust."
This opening assault by NU proved costly for the Eagles, as junior Steve Petteruti was forced to leave the game with an injury. The BC squad, already ailing from the absence of starters Phil Albanese, Patrick Cooney, and captain Sean Hanel, was forced to further adjust its starting rotation. Nate Thompson entered the game at flanker, and Kevin Brady switched to Petteruti's position, hooker.
The Eagles struck back on the next drive. Captain Mark Ciccone stole a NU pass, which set up a drive into NU territory at the hands of Ciccone and Brady, both of whom managed to pound through the Maddogs' defense. A NU penalty allowed senior Jay Mangone to kick for points and put BC on the board 10-3.
NU continued to threaten BC's try zone, but as the half wore on, BC managed to dig in its heels. Diligent kicking by Ciccone, Ted Smith, and Ramachandran kept the ball out of BC territory as much as possible. Senior Mike Parker managed to rob the Maddogs of a score, knocking the ball loose on a tackle from behind in the try zone.
In the end, however, the Maddogs maintained their dominance, tacking on another score and ending the half ahead 15-3.
BC, who limped away at halftime, charged back onto the field at the start of the second half. A blocked kick by Tom Case in NU territory set up another series of skilled runs by Ciccone and Brady. Off-balanced, NU committed an off-sides penalty, and Ciccone capitalized by cutting through the defense for a 15-meter score. This put BC back in the game at 15-8.
NU answered back with a pair of scores that made it 27-8. With only 20 minutes left in the game, the Maddogs had done their best to put the game out of reach.
BC, however, refused to give in. A NU penalty gave the Eagles possession at midfield. Ciccone swung the ball wide to Ted Smith, who ran the ball 50 meters from midfield to the try zone, juking one final defender to score.
NU struck back on the ensuing possession, scoring a penalty kick. With 10 minutes left, the Maddogs still had the Eagles in check with a 30-13 lead.
BC was determined to bring the game down to the wire. After a kick that put the ball deep in NU territory, BC reclaimed possession on a penalty with just over 5 minutes left to play. Ciccone swung the ball out to freshman Patrick Twardak, who overpowered two tacklers for the score.
Relentless in its final assault on NU, BC booted the ball deep into NU territory with two minutes to go. Stuck in their own try zone, the Maddogs desperately tried to kick downfield, only to have it blocked by Ramachandran. Ciccone dove to recover the ball for the score, but it trickled out the back of the try zone.
BC's forwards refused to allow the ball out of NU territory, as they pushed the Maddogs' pack back towards their try zone.
BC regained possession, and Ramachandran split the cluster of forwards for a diving score in the waning moments of the game. Mangone's extra-points kick was good, making it 30-25.
As the clock struck 00:00, the Maddogs kicked off and play continued with no time left. The Eagles were unable to retain possession of the ball and NU kicked the ball out of bounds, ending the game.
"That was the best second half I've seen us play" said Rev. James Fleming, S.J., the Rugby team's faculty advisor. "We scored only three points in the first half, and came back to score 22 in the second. I was impressed with the sense of urgency in the face of adversity with which we played."
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