Rugby teams end spring
Ben Yarnell
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: Sports
Head coach Bill Sexton said the main reason Benedictine came out on top was desire.
"We didn't have a team performance like they did," Sexton said. "Full credit to Benedictine for doing what it took to win the game."
Sexton also said the Bulls' lack of desire in the game was something that has been brewing for a while.
"Early on in the season, when things got going so slowly and it was clear we were not going to go to the Western Collegiate Championships, the motivation to do anything other than just have fun was gone," Sexton said
Several factors outside of the on-field performance worked against the Bulls. One was that senior captain Tony Giubardo was sidelined for his last game as a Bull after suffering a concussion the previous weekend. Sexton said he and Giubardo both decided that although it wasn't the way Giubardo wanted to finish his colligate career, it wasn't worth risking his health.
The other knock against the Bulls came in the second half when sophomore Will Holleman was ejected from the game after punching a Benedictine player.
"That's completely against what we're about, and nobody's happy about it," Sexton said.
Holleman's ejection forced the Bulls to play the rest of the second half short one man.
The loss to the Crows brings the Bulls' spring season to 3-6. While Sexton said he looks forward to improving next season, it will not be without some challenges. Graduation will take its toll with both Giubardo and senior Tim Branch. However, transfers also will make things tough for the Bulls. Junior vice-captain Mike Fitzgerald will start classes at Benedictine in the fall.
"He said he's not going to play for them, but on the other hand, I really hope he does," Sexton said. "He's a very good player. We hate to lose him, but he's got to follow his heart."
"We didn't have a team performance like they did," Sexton said. "Full credit to Benedictine for doing what it took to win the game."
Sexton also said the Bulls' lack of desire in the game was something that has been brewing for a while.
"Early on in the season, when things got going so slowly and it was clear we were not going to go to the Western Collegiate Championships, the motivation to do anything other than just have fun was gone," Sexton said
Several factors outside of the on-field performance worked against the Bulls. One was that senior captain Tony Giubardo was sidelined for his last game as a Bull after suffering a concussion the previous weekend. Sexton said he and Giubardo both decided that although it wasn't the way Giubardo wanted to finish his colligate career, it wasn't worth risking his health.
The other knock against the Bulls came in the second half when sophomore Will Holleman was ejected from the game after punching a Benedictine player.
"That's completely against what we're about, and nobody's happy about it," Sexton said.
Holleman's ejection forced the Bulls to play the rest of the second half short one man.
The loss to the Crows brings the Bulls' spring season to 3-6. While Sexton said he looks forward to improving next season, it will not be without some challenges. Graduation will take its toll with both Giubardo and senior Tim Branch. However, transfers also will make things tough for the Bulls. Junior vice-captain Mike Fitzgerald will start classes at Benedictine in the fall.
"He said he's not going to play for them, but on the other hand, I really hope he does," Sexton said. "He's a very good player. We hate to lose him, but he's got to follow his heart."
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