Cincinnati, Ohio – Bowling Green (2-0 Overall, 1-0 MAC) secure victory in the MAC opening weekend away in Cincinnati. BG got off to a solid start in conference play with a 26-10 and 49-14 wins last Saturday.
"I am happy with the final result that we got against Cincinnati. We got the bonus point win and against a conference opponent who we played in last year's MAC playoffs. There were definitely improvements from week one to week two, however our expectations are very high for ourselves for the rest of the year," said Assistant Coach Austin Morris. "However, there are still a lot of things that we still need to fix from last weekend as we go into our home games with Ohio State and Louisville."
BGSU Rugby took both ends of a doubleheader against the University of Cincinnati on Saturday with scores of 26-10 and 49-14. It was the MAC opener for both teams. BG jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half of the game from tries by Wing Griffin Wilson and Eight Man Phil Tracey. Center Joey Apel hit on both conversions. The two teams went tit-for-tat in the second half with two tries apiece. Center Gianpaolo Sferrella and Hooker Gino Carlo got BG's tries and Apel made one of the two conversions.
In the second match, BG went up 10-0 before the Bearcats made a bid to keep it close with a pair of tries and conversions to take a 14-10 lead. However, BG took the initiative and it was all BG for the rest of the match, scoring five more tires. Center Lucas Hickernell made three of five conversions and a penalty kick. Rookie Fullback Kacey Hathaway managed a brace. Lock Ricky Williams, Wing John Matier, Wing Andrew Ginder, Flanker Vinnie Dallicardillo, Fly Half Aiden Ditchman, and Center Isaac Radke all contributed with singular tries throughout the match.
"Cincinnati is always a rough game both mentally and physically. This is a game that happens almost twice every year so they become a very familiar foe," said Senior, Joey Apel. "This game was filled with players wanting to make the most of their opportunities which is something I hope we continue to strive for in the future. We will certainly take a hard fought win and build upon what we've learned for our next challenges."
NOTABLES
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BGUS is now 15 games unbeaten in MAC regular season since The streak began following a 91-0 victory away against Pitt on November 5th, 2022.
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The Falcons are now 2-0 Overall, 1-0 MAC.
Bowling Green (2-0) will play their home opener against Ohio State over Homecoming Weekend. This is the final non-conference game of the season on Saturday, September 13th at the Roger Mazzarella Rugby Field, 901 E. Poe Road.
