The Loyola Rugby team, currently in the middle of its season, is getting ready for the playoffs. Previously, the team fell just short of glory, but the overall season was positive. We were successful last season, but can we repeat that this year?
Our Loyola Rugby team has had a rough start to the season, having been defeated twice by the two best teams in the league; however, assistant coach Dr. Fischer believes the group is well-positioned to compete strongly as the season progresses. Our experienced leadership, coupled with our youthful energy and ambitious postseason goals, will help us finish the season on a high note.
“We’ve had a rough start with our two most competitive teams in our first two games, so we’re 0-2 at the moment,” Fischer said. “But we have a really good foundation for moving forward for the rest of the season and for the next few years, given the crop of freshmen and the skill sets they bring to the table.”
Recently, Loyola played a gritty game at Eddison High School, where the Cubs took a commanding win, 26-17. Tavish Thain, 28, believes the win was a sign of good things to come in the future, claiming,
“We look better every week as we work towards playoffs… From the start of the season, we have already come a long way.”
Beyond league play, our rugby team is setting its sights on the postseason, where the Cubs hope to meet Torrey Pines. The two teams met last year in a closely contested match, with Loyola barely falling short and finishing second. The memory of the game creates a vendetta for Coach Fischer and the players, who are eager for the rematch.
Our team this year has shown roles from a multitude of classes, with Freshmen stepping up and making immediate impacts. Additionally, upperclassmen have shown their leadership, modeling to the freshmen the work rate required to be successful, like last season.
Though the opening results may not yet show it, our rugby team is positioning itself for a strong finish to the season. With a challenging schedule ahead, the Cubs are working hard and improving quickly. Their determination and work ethic will pay off later in the postseason.
