This past weekend, the New Paltz Men’s Rugby Football Club (NPRFC) fell to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York on Sunday, Oct. 29 by a final score of 43-0 in the Central Division Playoffs, effectively ending their fall season.
With the victory over the Hawks, Vassar moves on to the Central Division Championship next week where they will face SUNY Maritime. Hawks fourth-year scrum-half and team captain Peter Randazzo, who played in his final game as a Hawk, gave credit to Vassar for the way they played against the Hawks.
“I was disappointed with the outcome, but when it comes down to it, the referee was excellent and we fought the whole game with heart,” Randazzo said. “Vassar was just the better team. Unfortunately I had to leave the game early because of a knee injury, which was sad, but I was proud of my team’s effort.”
The Brewers held a 26-0 lead at the end of the first half after scoring four tries. The rain was coming down throughout the game, which made it tough for points to be scored. The Brewers scored three more tries in the second half, which resulted in the 43-0 final.
Despite the season-ending loss, Randazzo thought this was a good season for the Hawks.
“We went 5-2 in the regular season, with a lot of new talent on the team and a lot of veterans ‘retiring’ after this season,” he said. “We have boys who are excited to be a part of the club, they’ve got thunder in their feet, and are looking towards the future.”
Head coach James Fryer ‘16 echoed Randazzo’s sentiments on the fall season.
“The season was extremely competitive. There are fantastic teams in our division, and we have guys who recognized this and made sure the team was doing everything it could to have a chance,” Fryer said. “The season had its ups and downs, which challenged the discipline and character of every single one of us. We were eliminated by a better team, but we never stopped fighting.”
Fryer is already looking forward to what the spring season will bring for the club.
“The future of the club is bright. There is a strong group of veterans who are capable of rebuilding the team,” Fryer said. “These players are the core of the program and will be responsible for displaying leadership as interested new players come in. I trust them to move the club forward in a positive way.”
“The upcoming spring will bring what every spring brings to our team, a chance to seek new potential. We have a few months to enjoy the game, grow closer as a team and find a few new faces to take along with us for next fall’s wild ride.”