Cornell shocks Columbia in home opener for Ivy South foes

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Cornell Rugby took the win this past Saturday over visiting Columbia University by a margin of 39-15. The win, coupled will a well deserved bonus point for scoring more than four tries, vaults the Big Red into first place in the Ivy Rugby Conference South Division. Cornell last saw such heights when they suffered a trying defeat at the hands of Dartmouth in the 2005 Ivy Rugby Championship match held in Conshohocken, PA.

The match started under gloomy skies, but the home team started strong. Cornell scored first with some powerful forward play lead by Big Red #2 Chuck Motzer. Motzer burst over the line for the first try of the Ivy season. Benno Sorensen's conversion put Cornell ahead 7-nil. Columbia came right back as outside center Ben Keitt went through the tackle line with an epic dummy before dotting down for the try. Scrum half Peter Callelo converted. 7-7. Moments later Callelo added another 3 to make the score 10-7 in favor of the Lions.

An ensuing Cornell attempt at goal, Columbia was caught sleeping and Cornell's Chuck Motzer scored easily. Sorensen's conversion put Cornell ahead for what turned out to be for keeps. 14-10. A Benno Sorensen penalty kick made the score 17-10 at the half.

In the second half the skies and the Big Red offense both opened up. Despite the rain, Cornell added four tries to Columbia's one and dominated play.

Benno Sorensen was the leading scorer and man of the match for Cornell with 2 tries, 2 conversions, and one penalty. Chuck Motzer scored 3 tries, 2 after coming back from an injury to his head The injury resulted in 21 stitches hours after the match. Andy Stasiuk scored the last try of the match bringing Cornell's tally up to a total of 39 points.

Scoring Summary

First Half

Try - Cornell Chuck Motzer  5-0
         conversion by Benno Sorensen 7-0
Try - Columbia  Ben Keitt 7-5
         conversion by Peter Callelo 7-7
Penalty - Columbia Peter Callelo 7-10
Try - Cornell Chuck Motzer  12-10
         conversion by Benno Sorensen 14-10
Penalty - Cornell  Benno Sorensen 17-10

Halftime: Cornell 17 - Columbia 10

Second Half

Cornell 4 tries
Columbia 1 try

Final Score: Cornell 39 - Columbia 15

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