 Randy Akerman ruck in Sunday's 18-5 loss to Temple. Ackerman, sophomore marketing major, is the president-elect for next year's men's club rugby team. Photo by Rusty Kelly | Special to The Appalachian AHO advanced to the national tournament after defeating Kennesaw State and N.C. State in the regional final four in late March.
“I think we played outstanding,” junior English major Matt Harrell said. “It’s the best team play I’ve seen in a long time and our tackle was awesome.”
Appalachian started strong at kickoff and saw back and forth possession the first 15 minutes of the game.
Eighteen minutes in, a penalty was called on Temple. Leroy Markofski drove from 5 yards out and scored a try for the men, placing AHO on the board, 5-0.
The conversion kick following the try was short by less than a meter.
Temple went on to score 22 minutes in with a failed conversion kick, tying up the game, 5-5.
Shortly following, Temple jumped on the board again with another try, bumping the score to 10-5.
Appalachian was down a man after Alex MacRae was given a yellow card for not rolling away. Corey Jones was quick to follow and was given a yellow card for a high tackle 2 minutes later, leaving the Apps two men shy.
Close to halftime, there was a penalty to Temple on AHO’s try line. Temple scored, bringing the score to 15-5.
Coming out in the second half, Temple was awarded a penalty kick, leaving Appalachian trailing, 18-5, to round out the game.
With the season behind them, AHO is looking to prepare and set next season’s goals.
“Our goals are to keep improving to get back to the national tournament and get to the final four,” Harrell said.
He said the team continues to improve through hard practices and hopes to gain more support from the university next season.
The team has already met with Vice Chancellor for Student Development Cindy Wallace, and Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock to further Appalachian’s support of men’s club rugby.
Story: BRITTANY PENLAND, Associate Editor for Editorial Content |
