USC rugby rallies into season with win against UCLA

12/7/08 5:12 PM

USC's rugby team rounded out its preseason today with a come-from-behind 17-14 win against UCLA today in Westwood. Despite being knocked down to Division 3 this semester, the Trojans were able to overcome an early surge from UCLA, which is one of only five schools in Southern California with Division-1 standing. Staring at a 14-0 deficit after the first half, the Trojans had to play down a man after a fight broke out early in the second half and a USC player was given a red card. But senior captain Gareth Williams put USC on the board with a try. Junior Todd Lorell also scored a try to tie the game at 14. With about 10 minutes remaining, the Trojans drew a penalty kick, which Marcus Mulick converted to give the Trojans a three-point lead. Staunch defense down the stretch sealed the win... 1 comment

USC V. PEPP FINALS (Final 3-2 Trojans)

11/30/08 7:37 PM

    Going in to the fourth quarter, the match has thus far been a battle of the goalies. 4th Quarter     In the first minute of play, USC's J.W. Krumpholz narrowly misses a shot wide of the cage. 6:36 The Waves have a power play opportunity after a USC exclusion, Dennerley blocks a Pepperdine shot out of play Dennerley blocks another Wave shot to give the Trojans the ball. 1:23 Justin Rappel scores for the Trojans to tie the game (2-2)     With less than a minute left in the game, the Waves have the ball, but turn it over to the Trojans with 16 seconds left in regulation play.     Shea Buckner scores at the buzzer on a power play for the Trojans making them the MPSF conference champions. -Alycia Carrillo ...

USC v. PEPP FINALS (3rd Quarter cont.)

11/30/08 7:14 PM

3rd Quarter (cont.)

3:48 Pepperdine recieves an exclusion, giving the Trojans a power play

    With two minutes left in the quarter, the Trojans are on the attack, Rappel's shot attempt is blocked by Hahn.

   The Trojans are down by one at the end of the third quarter (1-2)

-Alycia Carrillo

 

USC v. PEPPERDINE FINALS (3rd Quarter)

11/30/08 7:05 PM

3rd Quarter

The Trojans win the sprint to start the half

7:07 Shot attempt by the Waves blocked by Dennerley

The shot clock expires on the Waves, Trojans have the ball. A shot by USC inside of 2 meters forces a turnover.

5:30 A Pepperdine lob shot is tipped out of play by Dennerley.

5:00 The Waves turn the ball over to the Trojans, and Hahn blocks one for the Waves.

4:22 USC's Shea Buckner receives an exclusion giving the Waves a power play opportunity.

4:03 Milcovich scores for the Waves on the power play (1-2)

-Alycia Carrillo

 

USC v. PEPPERDINE FINALS (Halftime)

11/30/08 6:56 PM

2nd Quarter (cont.)

2:25 Adam Hewko scores for Pepperdine (0-1)

2:04 USC's Dennerley swims out of the goal to steal a pass.

1:49 USC's Peter Kurzeka scores for the Trojans to tie the score (1-1)

    Both the Trojans and the Waves are playing some tight defense, and the goalkeepers aren't wanting to let anything through.

    USC's Dennerley blocks a shot by J.P. MacDonell to end the first half of play.

    The score is tied 1-1 at the half. If both goalkeepers continue to play the way they are, this could be a very low scoring game.

-Alycia Carrillo