On Saturday, May 30th, the Saratoga Mustang VT boys hosted its first round playoff match in VYRA play. The opponent was Rutland U19 RFC. Similar to the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals, this match up was a rematch from the year before. Last year, the Mustang boys traveled to Rutland midweek for the VYRA first round playoff match and were sent packing.
After the playoff seedings were announced, during this past week's practice, captains Greg Manning (11th, BHBL) and Ryan Jones (11th, Saratoga Springs) reminded their team of the burning feeling they experienced from last year's loss and how they did not want to nor would allow that to happen again. As the week grew on, the intensity picked up, as did the nerves of the young squad. After all, the team is just three years old, and they were hosting the first round playoff match of the Vermont State Championship. It should also be noted, though, that the boys counterparts, led by Coach Mody, were slated to host the first round playoff match for the second straight year - congratulations girls!
Kickoff was the earliest of the season for the boys; the first whistle blew at 10:00 am. Just minutes before, the coaching staff had some last second roster changes as some players were injured from the NY game held the night before (Saratoga victory over Berkshire!). Once they got everything worked out, Manning (wing) and Jones (fly-half) took control of their team. It was not long before their team took control of the game.
Eight man and forwards leader, Mike Matrazzo (12th, BHBL) used his typical I-am-going-to-run-and-not-let-you-tackle-me technique and fought in for the score at the 10th minute. Unfortunately, it was his hard running that stood him out and caused some foul play to occur at the 15th minute. Matrazzo, although defending himself, lost his cool and ended up with a yellow card and ten minutes to cool off, as did the infracting Rutland player. Playing 14 a side did not hurt Saratoga as they kept the ball in the Rutland half and five minutes later were up 10-0 on an Alex Pulling (inside center, 12th, Ballston Spa) try. The Saratoga backs, led by Jones, played very well throughout the first half. At the 27th minute, Jones kept the ball on a pass from squirrelly and unorthodox scrum half, Matt Bynon (11th, BHBL) and scored his own try. Just before half time, though, Rutland got on the board and started to steal the momentum away.
Coach Tempest was concerned about the momentum shift, especially with the loss of hard hitting and the sure tackling flanker Chris Heckman (10th, Ballston Spa) to a shoulder injury. The captains refocused the team and got them mentally ready again.
At the kickoff for the second half, Saratoga started out like they did in the first half. Hard hits, solid rucking, sure handed passing and proper tackling, along with plain old fundamental play, put Saratoga in the driver's seat as they began to run away with the match. At the 45th minute, outside center and rising star Mike Gonzalez (11th, Saratoga Springs) jaunted in on the far side and then took care of his kicked by sprinting to the middle before touching the ball down. Just two minutes later, Pulling sprinted down the near side before being taken down just shy of the try line. Great support was given by wing Ryan Bobbitt (11th, Saratoga Springs) as he picked the ball and dove in for a 25-5 lead. With the Jones conversion, Saratoga was confident at a 27-5 edge. They did not let up, though, as Pulling continued running like a tank and scored at the 53rd minute. The Jones conversion capped off the scoring at 34-5.
Although no more points were scored, Rutland fought hard and was still pressing Saratoga. The Mustangs were relentless in keeping the ball in the Rutland end. On a kick into Mustang territory, wing Travis Bradley (12th, BHBL) used some fantastic foot work to march a good 20 meters back into Rutland territory. Late into the second half, wing Justin Sarsick (12th, BHBL) used some of his own dance moves to advance the ball deep in the Rutland zone. Impact plays like this, advancing position, kept Rutland off the scoreboard and kept Saratoga churning hard. The final score was Saratoga 34 and Rutland 5.
Looking back at the game, no Saratoga individual stuck out as the game changer. Matrazzo had several big runs and poached the ball like a champ. Bynon played his territory and did not give an inch. Flankers Chris Card (11th, Saratoga Springs) and Cory Baird (11th, BHBL) carried the ball north-south spectacularly and the backs performed very well with key tactical kicks by Jones and fullback Dylan Gandy (12th, Waldorf). All in all, every player that donned the black and red Kooga this weekend was an impact player and a game changer. As atypical as it may be, the game ball went to Saratoga numbers 1 thru 22 for this match.
The Mustang boys will be joining the girls in traveling to the Vermont State Championships this upcoming weekend. Details are still being finalized, but signs are pointing towards a Saturday late afternoon match in Rutland against Essex high school rugby. If possible, please show your support for these young ruggers!
10 May 2009
Mustang Boys Outlast Older, More Veteran Barkeater Squad
The Saratoga (VT) Mustangs hosted both boys and girls U19s this past weekend at Shenantaha Creek Park in Malta. The boys' game kicked off shortly after the girls posted an eight point victory on the more veteran Adirondack girls team (more to come on that match). Not to be outdone by their peers, the boys knew what they had to do.
Ailing with injuries from the Friday night match against Schenectady, many of the boys gained composure and kitted up for the match, including flanker Chris Heckman (Ballston Spa, 10th), who Coach Tempest asked for about 10 minutes to make an impact and then he would most likely be subbed out. At the start, Adirondack's side looked cocky and confident as they strutted on the Saratoga field, with their older, more experienced side.
Field captain and fly-half, Ryan Jones (Saratoga, 11th) got the Mustangs focused with a pre-game speech to let his team know that this was their field and they'll not put up with the outsiders coming in and thinking they are going to dominate. Shortly after kick-off, Jones backed up his words with a hard fought score on the left side and then converted his own try for the 7-0 lead at the 6th minute. After some solid, back and forth play, eight man and forwards' captain, Mike Matrazzo (BHBL, 12th) ripped the ball and propelled past the try line for the 12-0 lead at the 20th minute.
After allowing Adirondack on the board at the 29th minute, Jones utilized some dazzling runs by inside center Alex Pulling (Ballston Spa, 12th) and outside center Mike Gonzalez (Saratoga, 11th) and got himself into position to score again just before half to give the Mustangs a 17-5 lead.
The second half opened up with much of the same as scrum half Matt Bynon (BHBL, 11th) picked the ball and fought for the 22-5 lead at the 41st minute. After that, though, the Mustangs seemed to start playing on their heals. Adirondack was fighting hard for every meter and was getting the best of the Mustangs. After some significant injuries for the Mustangs and substitution errors by Coach Tempest, the Mustangs were just trying to stay solid. At the 59th minute and again at the 64th minute, the Barkeaters scored, closing the lead the 22-15. In the end, though, the Mustangs stood tall and prevented Adirondack from closing in anymore. At the final whistle, it was Saratoga who came out on top (22-15) for a 4-1 record in VYRA. Oh, by the way, flanker C. Heckman played hurt, yet solid the entire game, even though the coaching staff kept asking for only ten more minutes...
The game was hard-fought by the undersized and much younger Mustangs. The coaching staff is very proud and excited about the will and effort that team put forth on Saturday. Upon review of the key elements to the success and victory, the coaching staff has chosen eight man Mike Matrazzo as the man of the match for the Mustangs. Usually known for spectacular runs up the field, his offensive presence was not the factor this week. Rather, it was defensive posture that neutralized the much larger and much older opposing eight man for Adirondack. This opponent definitely appeared to have some significant rugby days under his belt, but Matrazzo matched up and contained him throughout the match. Kudos, Mike.
Saratoga travels to face North Country at the Essex fields this upcoming Saturday, May 16th. With a victory against North Country, Saratoga will have a good chance at hosting the first round playoff game on May 30th. Let's go Mustangs!
Ailing with injuries from the Friday night match against Schenectady, many of the boys gained composure and kitted up for the match, including flanker Chris Heckman (Ballston Spa, 10th), who Coach Tempest asked for about 10 minutes to make an impact and then he would most likely be subbed out. At the start, Adirondack's side looked cocky and confident as they strutted on the Saratoga field, with their older, more experienced side.
Field captain and fly-half, Ryan Jones (Saratoga, 11th) got the Mustangs focused with a pre-game speech to let his team know that this was their field and they'll not put up with the outsiders coming in and thinking they are going to dominate. Shortly after kick-off, Jones backed up his words with a hard fought score on the left side and then converted his own try for the 7-0 lead at the 6th minute. After some solid, back and forth play, eight man and forwards' captain, Mike Matrazzo (BHBL, 12th) ripped the ball and propelled past the try line for the 12-0 lead at the 20th minute.
After allowing Adirondack on the board at the 29th minute, Jones utilized some dazzling runs by inside center Alex Pulling (Ballston Spa, 12th) and outside center Mike Gonzalez (Saratoga, 11th) and got himself into position to score again just before half to give the Mustangs a 17-5 lead.
The second half opened up with much of the same as scrum half Matt Bynon (BHBL, 11th) picked the ball and fought for the 22-5 lead at the 41st minute. After that, though, the Mustangs seemed to start playing on their heals. Adirondack was fighting hard for every meter and was getting the best of the Mustangs. After some significant injuries for the Mustangs and substitution errors by Coach Tempest, the Mustangs were just trying to stay solid. At the 59th minute and again at the 64th minute, the Barkeaters scored, closing the lead the 22-15. In the end, though, the Mustangs stood tall and prevented Adirondack from closing in anymore. At the final whistle, it was Saratoga who came out on top (22-15) for a 4-1 record in VYRA. Oh, by the way, flanker C. Heckman played hurt, yet solid the entire game, even though the coaching staff kept asking for only ten more minutes...
The game was hard-fought by the undersized and much younger Mustangs. The coaching staff is very proud and excited about the will and effort that team put forth on Saturday. Upon review of the key elements to the success and victory, the coaching staff has chosen eight man Mike Matrazzo as the man of the match for the Mustangs. Usually known for spectacular runs up the field, his offensive presence was not the factor this week. Rather, it was defensive posture that neutralized the much larger and much older opposing eight man for Adirondack. This opponent definitely appeared to have some significant rugby days under his belt, but Matrazzo matched up and contained him throughout the match. Kudos, Mike.
Saratoga travels to face North Country at the Essex fields this upcoming Saturday, May 16th. With a victory against North Country, Saratoga will have a good chance at hosting the first round playoff game on May 30th. Let's go Mustangs!
04 May 2009
Mustang Boys Beat Mad River 5-0...Well Sorta...
Apparently, Saturday, May 2nd was a big day for the SAT's. The Saratoga coaching staff knew that the Mustangs were being affected by it, as it had six players pulled away for the big, nervousness-inducing test. What the staff did not realize was that over in Vermont, the SAT's were on the same day. Luckily for Saratoga, they were hosting and it was Mad River that was forced to travel. Unfortunately, Mad River was hit a bit harder by the SAT's and only came down with six players and their coach. This, in and of itself, though, is remarkable given the travel time and commitment of those members of the organization. Job well done, Mad River.
Okay, enough for background on the match. Saratoga was fortunate that the NY league had a bye week and many players were available. 28 players for Saratoga took to the pitch on Saturday, and 11 of those 28 donned the green and gold stripes for Mad River. The coaching staff, needing to continue development, set the roster for the black and red Mustangs based on needs and had to move personnel around into some unfamiliar positions. Others, stepped up in their roles to play a bigger part of the game. On the other side, the 11 boys that were wearing the unfamiliar green and gold jerseys did both, all while having six new teammates and seeing their peers on the other side.
Scoring for the game yielded the following:
Tyler Krupa, lock (11th, BHBL) - 2 tries (2nd minute, 61st minute)
Mike Matrazzo, 8-man (12th, BHBL) - 6 tries (5th minute, 11th minute, 31st minute, 46th minute, 51st minute, 65th minute)
Justin Sarsick, wing (12th, BHBL) - 1 try (17th minute)
Alex Pulling, inside center (12th, Ballston Spa) - 1 try (22nd minute)
Dylan Gandy, fullback (12th, Waldorf) - 3 tries (27th minute, 29th minute, 57th minute)
Ryan Jones, flyhalf (11th, Saratoga) - 1 try (36th minute), 1 conversion
Nate Heckman, outside center (12th, Ballston Spa) - 6 conversions
Final score: Saratoga 5 - Mad River 0
The co-men of the match are (1) the Mad River players for living up to the commitments they made and traveling the three plus hours each way in a non-ideal situation and (2) the "Mad River Mustangs" for their willingness to don the opponents jersey and fight against their own team. To wear the opposite jersey of what you know and love is difficult. The coaching staff recognizes and personally knows these feelings. However, if these boys had not overcome this, not only would the weekend have yielded no games for the boys overall, it would have set back the development as a whole of the U19 program. Job well done.
Saratoga Mustang Boys host the Schenectady Chargers this Friday at 6:00 pm and the Adirondack Barkeaters this Saturday at 12:30 pm; both games are at Shenantaha Creek Park in Malta. Please come show your support.
Okay, enough for background on the match. Saratoga was fortunate that the NY league had a bye week and many players were available. 28 players for Saratoga took to the pitch on Saturday, and 11 of those 28 donned the green and gold stripes for Mad River. The coaching staff, needing to continue development, set the roster for the black and red Mustangs based on needs and had to move personnel around into some unfamiliar positions. Others, stepped up in their roles to play a bigger part of the game. On the other side, the 11 boys that were wearing the unfamiliar green and gold jerseys did both, all while having six new teammates and seeing their peers on the other side.
Scoring for the game yielded the following:
Tyler Krupa, lock (11th, BHBL) - 2 tries (2nd minute, 61st minute)
Mike Matrazzo, 8-man (12th, BHBL) - 6 tries (5th minute, 11th minute, 31st minute, 46th minute, 51st minute, 65th minute)
Justin Sarsick, wing (12th, BHBL) - 1 try (17th minute)
Alex Pulling, inside center (12th, Ballston Spa) - 1 try (22nd minute)
Dylan Gandy, fullback (12th, Waldorf) - 3 tries (27th minute, 29th minute, 57th minute)
Ryan Jones, flyhalf (11th, Saratoga) - 1 try (36th minute), 1 conversion
Nate Heckman, outside center (12th, Ballston Spa) - 6 conversions
Final score: Saratoga 5 - Mad River 0
The co-men of the match are (1) the Mad River players for living up to the commitments they made and traveling the three plus hours each way in a non-ideal situation and (2) the "Mad River Mustangs" for their willingness to don the opponents jersey and fight against their own team. To wear the opposite jersey of what you know and love is difficult. The coaching staff recognizes and personally knows these feelings. However, if these boys had not overcome this, not only would the weekend have yielded no games for the boys overall, it would have set back the development as a whole of the U19 program. Job well done.
Saratoga Mustang Boys host the Schenectady Chargers this Friday at 6:00 pm and the Adirondack Barkeaters this Saturday at 12:30 pm; both games are at Shenantaha Creek Park in Malta. Please come show your support.
03 May 2009
Scrum-Halves Lead the Way to Weekend Routs for Both Mustangs Girls Teams
Saratoga played both host and guest this past weekend, but the results were the same. Lopsided wins that were led by the legs, tackles, and passes of two relatively new players at the scrum-half position.
In a Friday night showdown that served as Saratoga Mustangs Girls NY League team's home opener, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake sophomore Lian Connor, a rookie, showed blinding speed and and aggressive defense, leading her team to several tries and a shutout victory over the short handed Albany Bulldogs, 42-0. After dropping their first match of the season to Kingston, the Mustangs Girls NY, comprised almost entirely of rookies, has come together quickly under Head Coach Rick Babson and his assistant coaches to post back to back victories. Connor, a soccer player in the fall, has shown a natural talent for the game and has quickly picked up scrum-half to help lead her team. Helping in the scoring on the night were were freshman wing Kaita Albanese, freshman fullback Emily Nikolski (who also converted several kicks), and sophomore second-row, Shayna Myers, all of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School. Connor was Coach Babson's selection for Rugger of the Match for the second consecutive week.
For the Saratoga Mustangs Girls Vermont League team's side of things, the early season got off to a difficult start. Already smarting from the loss of several graduating members of a very powerful pack that helped lead the Mustangs Girls to the state finals, Saratoga found itself very thin in a former area of strength when a significant portion of this year's junior and senior pack players opted for employment and academics over playing rugby. These loses depleted experienced replacements for last year's graduates but the addition of rookie junior Cassie Steele (Shenendahowa) and the conversion of senior Sara McFadden (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) from fullback to second row helped solidify the pack quickly.
After spending half a season as fullback, NRU All-Star Joya Clark (Scotia-Glenville) made the transition to scrum-half in the early season to replace graduated Mustang Emily Wexler. Clark, known for her brutal tackles, blazing speed, and plus foot, has not disappointed in her debut. After difficult travel conditions to Essex, VT left the Saratoga with only 25 minutes to dress and warm up, a see-saw battle with the perennial playoff bound Essex Girls which ended in a 12-12 tie and cost the Mustangs their Co-Captain, Senior Flanker Jordan Scacchetti (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) for what hopefully amounts to only half of the season with a knee injury.
On Saturday, it was the Mustangs Girls VT 's chance to set loose their offense which had been very rusty against a fleet footed Essex team. Despite spirited play from Colchester, which featured a powerful pack that was able to dominate scrums and rucks, it was Clark's feet and aggression that led the way for the Mustangs. The Scotia-Glenville Junior bashed, bolted, and blew by would be tacklers amassing an astounding team record of 33 points by scoring five tries and converting four kicks. One of her kicks even managed to snap one of Colcherster's goal post uprights before ricocheting through the middle for two points.
In other set pieces, juniors Shannon Dowdle and Brianne Briggs, Co-Captain senior Tiffany Neach, and sophomore Melayna Weaver (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) were also a dominant force in the line-outs, winning all of Saratoga's thrown ins and disrupting several of Colchester's. Weaver also had a punishing and then evasive penalty run through the heart of Colchester's defense which set up Clark's second score.
While Clark's running was dazzling to see, it was not the only scoring of the day. Featuring a spread offense to maximize running lanes, Saratoga also had tries scored by junior outside center Sam Coluccio (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), senior eightman Eva Meier (Ballston Spa), senior inside center Quennah Holt (Colonie) and senior wing Autumn VanderVeer (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake). Coluccio added an impressive interception and 30 meter return of Colchester's inside center to cap a solid day by the outside center. As the game ended, Saratoga ran away with a 53-5 victory.
A special hat tip to freshman Kaita Albanese, Allie Harkins, sophomore Maranda Rotondo, (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) and senior Bridgette Bryan (Shenendahowa) who logged their first playing time for Mustangs Girls VT League squad. Another hat tip to Colchester who fought hard the entire match and played some of the cleanest rugby the coaching staff has seen. The final score was not indicative of how much closer a match it was. Colchester's head coach, Julie Conrad, has her girls playing physical, fundamentally sound rugby and they should be a tough match as her club continues to gain experience.
It was no surprise that an exhausted Joya Clark was awarded Rugger of the Match for the Mustangs Girls VT, who improved to 1-0-1 on the season. Come see the girls take on arch rival and defending State Champ Adirondack in a rematch of last season's State Finals this Saturday at Shenentaha Creek Park in Ballston Spa. Kickoff is at 11:00 A.M.
In a Friday night showdown that served as Saratoga Mustangs Girls NY League team's home opener, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake sophomore Lian Connor, a rookie, showed blinding speed and and aggressive defense, leading her team to several tries and a shutout victory over the short handed Albany Bulldogs, 42-0. After dropping their first match of the season to Kingston, the Mustangs Girls NY, comprised almost entirely of rookies, has come together quickly under Head Coach Rick Babson and his assistant coaches to post back to back victories. Connor, a soccer player in the fall, has shown a natural talent for the game and has quickly picked up scrum-half to help lead her team. Helping in the scoring on the night were were freshman wing Kaita Albanese, freshman fullback Emily Nikolski (who also converted several kicks), and sophomore second-row, Shayna Myers, all of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School. Connor was Coach Babson's selection for Rugger of the Match for the second consecutive week.
For the Saratoga Mustangs Girls Vermont League team's side of things, the early season got off to a difficult start. Already smarting from the loss of several graduating members of a very powerful pack that helped lead the Mustangs Girls to the state finals, Saratoga found itself very thin in a former area of strength when a significant portion of this year's junior and senior pack players opted for employment and academics over playing rugby. These loses depleted experienced replacements for last year's graduates but the addition of rookie junior Cassie Steele (Shenendahowa) and the conversion of senior Sara McFadden (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) from fullback to second row helped solidify the pack quickly.
After spending half a season as fullback, NRU All-Star Joya Clark (Scotia-Glenville) made the transition to scrum-half in the early season to replace graduated Mustang Emily Wexler. Clark, known for her brutal tackles, blazing speed, and plus foot, has not disappointed in her debut. After difficult travel conditions to Essex, VT left the Saratoga with only 25 minutes to dress and warm up, a see-saw battle with the perennial playoff bound Essex Girls which ended in a 12-12 tie and cost the Mustangs their Co-Captain, Senior Flanker Jordan Scacchetti (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) for what hopefully amounts to only half of the season with a knee injury.
On Saturday, it was the Mustangs Girls VT 's chance to set loose their offense which had been very rusty against a fleet footed Essex team. Despite spirited play from Colchester, which featured a powerful pack that was able to dominate scrums and rucks, it was Clark's feet and aggression that led the way for the Mustangs. The Scotia-Glenville Junior bashed, bolted, and blew by would be tacklers amassing an astounding team record of 33 points by scoring five tries and converting four kicks. One of her kicks even managed to snap one of Colcherster's goal post uprights before ricocheting through the middle for two points.
In other set pieces, juniors Shannon Dowdle and Brianne Briggs, Co-Captain senior Tiffany Neach, and sophomore Melayna Weaver (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) were also a dominant force in the line-outs, winning all of Saratoga's thrown ins and disrupting several of Colchester's. Weaver also had a punishing and then evasive penalty run through the heart of Colchester's defense which set up Clark's second score.
While Clark's running was dazzling to see, it was not the only scoring of the day. Featuring a spread offense to maximize running lanes, Saratoga also had tries scored by junior outside center Sam Coluccio (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), senior eightman Eva Meier (Ballston Spa), senior inside center Quennah Holt (Colonie) and senior wing Autumn VanderVeer (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake). Coluccio added an impressive interception and 30 meter return of Colchester's inside center to cap a solid day by the outside center. As the game ended, Saratoga ran away with a 53-5 victory.
A special hat tip to freshman Kaita Albanese, Allie Harkins, sophomore Maranda Rotondo, (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) and senior Bridgette Bryan (Shenendahowa) who logged their first playing time for Mustangs Girls VT League squad. Another hat tip to Colchester who fought hard the entire match and played some of the cleanest rugby the coaching staff has seen. The final score was not indicative of how much closer a match it was. Colchester's head coach, Julie Conrad, has her girls playing physical, fundamentally sound rugby and they should be a tough match as her club continues to gain experience.
It was no surprise that an exhausted Joya Clark was awarded Rugger of the Match for the Mustangs Girls VT, who improved to 1-0-1 on the season. Come see the girls take on arch rival and defending State Champ Adirondack in a rematch of last season's State Finals this Saturday at Shenentaha Creek Park in Ballston Spa. Kickoff is at 11:00 A.M.
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