Yale falls short in Quarterfinals

Overall a tough day for Yale on the scoreboard, but the boys certainly proved they belong. Though not rated by the national rugby press to get out of their pool, Yale surprised everyone and represented very well. The players worked hard to get to Vegas and showed well throughout the tournament. The team did a great job of representing Yale on and off the field.

Las Vegas CRC Sevens Cup Quarterfinal
vs Bowling Green State University

Yale 7 Bowling Green 19

Team Roster
1. Nick Lombardo replaced by Ross Brendel 7
2. Phil Constantinou
3. Wossen Ayele
4. Rob Morse
5. Matthew Shipsey
6. Ryan Vandersloot
7. Mack Hull
 
Report
Game starts evenly matched with Yale pushing early chances and BGSU playing well. BGSU pushes ball deep into Yale end and knocks on. Yale called for early engagement and BGSU scores off ensuing free kick. BGSU pushes on kickoff and Yale touches down in own try zone. Mix-up on ensuing drop kick results in BGSU free kick and an unconverted try just before halftime. Second half Yale re-groups and comes out pushing BGSU. From deep in their end Vandersloot breaks and scores 12-7. Yale wins kickoff and pushes in BGSU end. In a contact situation referee whistles and inexplicably yellow cards Matt Shipsey (see post-script for amazing explanation). With 1 player advantage, BGSU scores and game ends 19-7.

Postscript
Referee, when asked about yellow card to Yale player after the game says "oh, I meant to yellow card the Bowling Green player". Yale was to have player advantage and opportunity to play against a quality BGSU side, but is denied. Would they have won no one can say, but the opportunity was taken from them.

Plate Semi-Final v Cerighton
Yale 14 Creighton 19

Team Roster
1. Nick Lombardo
2. Phil Constantinou
3. Wossen Ayele replaced by Ross Brendel 5
4. Rob Morse
5. Matthew Shipsey
6. Ryan Vandersloot
7. Mack Hull

Report
Yale starts out well against a very physical side. They score two tries and look to be in a commanding lead (Vandersloot and Morse). Just prior to halftime, Creighton scores a long distance try through the center of the Yale defense. Second half Yale fatigue sets in and mistakes abound, allowing Creighton the opportunities, which they convert.

Weekend Recap
A good weekend overall. Not rated by the national rugby press to get out of their pool, Yale surprised everyone and represented very well. The loss to UC Davis was a loss to a team that reached the finals. Although the team will not advance, it shows that Olympic Rugby 7s is a sport at which Yale can compete on the national stage. The players worked hard to get here and showed well throughout the tournament. The team did a great job of representing Yale on and off the field.

Team Scoring for Tournament
Ryan Vandersloot (35 points)
Arturo Zindel-Mundet (13 points)
Matt Shipsey (12 points)
Rob Morse (10 points)
Wasson Ayele (5 points)