UNC Falls to NC State in the Last Minute

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Carolina A 18, NC State 21

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Home — Feb. 23 Ehringhaus Fields, UNC Chapel Hill

The cross-town rivals met once again at Eringhaus Field in a much anticipated rematch from the State Championship final, which the Tar Heels won in a nail biter this past November. This time they were not as fortunate, as NC State came out on top with a score of 21-18.

Throughout the match, UNC retained majority possession and covered more territory while leaving many scoring opportunities begging with poor handling and vital turnovers. The Wolfpack were the first to put points on the board in the 21st minute as the result of a penalty kick. Carolina answered just 2 minutes later with a subsequent penalty kick by UNC fly-half Gregor MacLennan. In the 39th minute, however, Carolina showed a change of pace and scored the first try of the match. UNC winger Joseph Shuford initiated the try with a spectacular run from the blind side just before handing it off to Jamie Duguid who touched the ball down. MacLennan converted for a 10-3 Carolina lead at the half.

The Tar Heels were especially slow to their feet in the second half, continuing their dismal display of handling errors and failing to put points on the board early. To make matters worse, scrum-half and UNC captain Russel Martin was sin-binned for ten minutes as a result of using the boots in a ruck in a not-so-inconspicuous manner. In the 58th minute, the Wolfpack scored their first try of the game, following a great deal of confusion regarding whether the ball was taken out of bounds or not before the try was scored. The conversion was wide, and UNC was barely hanging on two minutes later after another MacLennan penalty kick, which put the score at 13-8 in favors of the Tar Heels.

In the 65th minute, the Wolfpack caught the Tar Heel defense napping and scored a quick try off of a penalty call. NC State player Will Teague made the three-point conversion for a 15-13 lead in favor of the Wolfpack. Six minutes later, NC State scored yet another penalty kick and stretched the lead to five points in the last quarter of the match. In the 74th minute, deep within their own territory, UNC attacked off of a lineout, as fullback Philip Rouse achieved a long run up the left side of the pitch, successfully setting up Duguid for his second try of the afternoon. The conversion sailed wide, and the score was even at 18-18 with four minutes to go. With the clock winding down, the Wolfpack was awarded a penalty for repeated infringements in the line-out, and NC State player Will Teague put three points on the board after scoring the penalty kick. With moments to go, UNC desperately tried to put points on the board, but broke down yet again as a result of handling errors. In the end, North Carolina State deservedly came out on top by three points, playing with great character and determination, as well as utilizing the opportunities that the Tar Heels gave them.

UNC now faces an uphill battle next weekend at Wake Forest University who will be looking to win after falling to South Carolina this past weekend.

Other matches this weekend from the Carolinas Rugby League:
USC over Wake Forest (20-17)
Clemson over ECU (12-8)

UNC Lineup: Raczkowski, Knight, Werner, Johnston, Mohar, Byer, Morrison (VC), Moye, Martin (C), MacLennan, Shuford, Rose, Duguid, Giffin, Adelman

Man of the Match:

Tries: Duguid (2)
Conversions: MacLennan (1of 2)
Penalties: MacLennan (2 of 2)
Drop Goals:

Reported by Mike Groenewald

Modified Jan 30, 2010. 02:25 pm