Rugby defeats Longhorns

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by Neel Desai

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The team struck early with junior Wes Yeackle scoring the first of his three tries on the day.

The Longhorns kept it close early with a try of their own to make the score 10-5.

After Rice added another try, senior Mike Dowling punted the ball into the corner of the try zone to set up the first of junior Chris Blache's three tries just before halftime, which made the score 20-5.

At halftime, senior captain Blake Hutchinson said, "The game's not over, they [Texas] still think that they are in it. We need to reach 50 points this half."

The Owls responded by scoring 40-plus points in the second half and allowing zero.

Senior Shoney Katz scored two tries while senior Marshall Pounds, junior Stephe Gallagher and sophomore Tim Olson also added tries.

The Owls received a number of penalties, including a taunting penalty by Blache.

"They played pretty dirty, and at times the trash-talking got a little out of hand," he said. "We as a team, and me especially, need to work on keeping our composure in all situations."

On a less positive note, the second side suffered their first defeat at the hands of the Longhorns.

"Texas had more experienced players because they used alumni who had played Texas Selects, but we still played very well, and it was a great learning oppurtunity," senior Luis Acosta said.

"We can see the second side building for the future."

The Owls improved to 4-0.

Next the team travels to Albuquerque, N.M., to play in the Albuquerque Tournament, which promises to be a better measure of the team's ability.

The Owls will likely face perennial rugby powerhouse, the United States Air Force Academy and last year's spoiler, Colorado State University, who defeated the Owls in last year's Western Regionals.

This item appeared in the Sports section of the October 13, 1995 issue.

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