Men’s Rugby Looks to Ride Momentum into Playoffs

After a disappointing finish to the 2017 season, the Marist men’s club rugby team (MCR) is ready to capitalize on their opportunity in this year’s playoffs.

Last fall, Marist’s men lost to Sacred Heart in the semi-finals of the Tri-State Conference Championship. MCR, following Sunday’s tie to the back-to-back conference champion, has again qualified for the tournament after a 2–2–1 season. A title win in this competition would provide the team with a bid to the rugby National Championships.

“This year I think we’re more used to Coach Kimberly’s system,” senior Michael Dempsey said.

Coach James Kimberly, now in his second season as head coach, has gotten the team to buy in to his philosophy. “Last year was more of a transition year to learn his system, and he was able to get a feel for the team,” Dempsey said. Now that Kimberly’s system is in place, he has started to build a new culture for Marist men’s rugby.

“He is very hard-working and invested in the team. He really wants to succeed and see the program grow,” Dempsey said. Senior Chris Moscatiello believes Kimberly’s confidence in the team has fueled their performances this season.

“The first thing he told us was that he wants to make MCR a nationally ranked team within a few years… he was able to do it in six months,” Moscatiello said. “His biggest message to the team is that no matter how a game finishes… we learn from the game.” Kimberly’s team, mostly comprised of players that had never played rugby before college, lost only three seniors from last years’ semi-finalist roster.

Moscatiello, Dempsey and the rest of the team have high expectations for this fall’s playoffs. The conference championships, as described by some of the players, is different than regular season matches. The intensity, speed and physicality is at a much higher level during the Tri-State tournaments. Now, with almost two full seasons under coach Kimberly, MCR wants to elevate their program to new heights. This next step, however, will not come easily.

“One of our biggest challenges is being able to keep up the intensity throughout our games. We come out hot and aggressive but lose our focus and allow our opponent to come back in the game,” Moscatiello noted. Dempsey had a similar response when asked about the improvements the team must make. “We have to be on the same page. Sometimes we get tunnel vision and lose our focus.”

Marist men’s club rugby will soon learn who their first opponent is in the tournament. To fulfill their goals and win the championship, they will have to continue relying on their biggest strength: the back line. MCR’s backs and forwards have carried the team during its five regular season matches.

“Our back line is full of fast, strong, agile players. Once we get the ball to those guys, we cannot be stopped,” Moscatiello said. “Our backs and forwards are dangerous. We just have to get them the ball,” Dempsey added.

Now that Kimberly and the team have had ample time to transition to the new system, Marist has high hopes. They will look to capitalize on their playoff opportunity in two weeks when they play their first match. Both Dempsey and Moscatiello have played rugby for multiple years and they hope this game is not their last.