On Saturday, Oct. 27, the University of Dallas rugby team traveled to San Antonio to take on the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The Hoggies took a loss against UTSA in a high scoring affair, ending with a score of 38-33.
“We were expecting a good game from UTSA, but we may have underestimated their physicality going in,” said senior team captain Peter Whisenant. “Before the game, we had a 2-0 record and a 3-week break, so I think mentally we weren’t as present as we would have liked to have been.”
Several UD players had good games, including senior John Paul Jones, who scored three tries. The game was evenly played by both teams, but UTSA was able to do just enough to edge out the Hoggies.
“Possession was back and forth the whole match,” said senior Declan Hamilton. “UTSA has a really good kicking game, so they definitely put our back under a lot of pressure.”
“The final score was 38-33, which I think was an accurate representation of the way that both teams played,” Whisenant said. “Their defense was fantastic, especially at rucks which they took control of, poaching the ball several times.”
While the loss has the Dallas team down, the Hoggies are going to waste no time dwelling on the past, but rather look forward to what lies ahead.
“It [is] frustrating to lose that perfect record, but we might be better off having learned that lesson when it comes to the state championships in February,” Whisenant said. “I’m looking forward to the chance to show an improvement this coming weekend when we take on Tarleton State at home to finish out the season.”
To conclude the fall season, Dallas will play Tarleton State this Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Bob Macnab Rugby Pitch at 2 p.m.
