By Melanie Cane
Coach: Jim O’Hara
Seniors: Chase Bekkerus, Michael Davitt, Stewart Moore, Grant Meyerson, John Weakley, Wally Mason, Dezie Udeagha, Roka Hosono, Max DiMassimo, and Michael Weinstein.
Last year’s record: 4-1 in the regular season. 1-1 in playoffs. After beating Saratoga 52-10 in the semifinals, the team lost by five points to Keio/FASNY on the goal line in the State Championship game.
Rivals: Keio/FASNY
Players to watch: With a mix of experienced and inexperienced players, the seniors, who helped start the program are determined to end their career with a successful season. Freshmen Tom Sciulli, JP Keith, and Lucas Perez-Segnini are products of Rye Rugby Club’s Youth Program.
Season goal: To win the division in the regular season and then the State Championship.
Rye beat New Rochelle 14-12 in their home opener March 29. Michael Davitt scored one try (5 points) and two conversion kicks (2 points each). Sophomore Griffin Meyers scored the other try.
Coach O’Hara praised his defense — Meyers, Alec Leishman, Grant Howard, Wally Mason — for staying strong against New Rochelle’s “very physical team.”
Their next match is April 14 at Rockaway Rugby Club.
Ready for a turf “war”.