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Albany,NY - The East Coast Rugby Conference [ECRC] is a USA Rugby D1-AA sanctioned conference which includes American International College, Boston College, Middlebury College, Northeastern University, Southern Connecticut University, University at Albany, University of Connecticut, and the University of Massachusetts.
The Conference was formed in 2011 and competes in both 15s and 7 a side rugby. The ECRC kicks off the 2012 season today (Friday) when the University at Albany travels to American International College under the lights. Each team will play a seven-game conference schedule. The conference champion will be awarded an automatic bid in USA Rugby’s National Tournament pool of 16. “We are very excited about the 2012 season. We have a strong group of institutions with rugby programs that have great tradition, commitment, spirit and the characteristics that make college rugby great,” said ECRC Commissioner John Durant.
ECRC Sevens
The ECRC Sevens Tournament will be played on October 6, 2012 at the Amesbury Sports Park in Amesbury, MA. The 8 team tournament’s champion will be awarded an entry in USA Rugby’s National Sevens Championship November 30th and December 1st, 2012 at Texas A&M University. Boston College looks to defend their 2011 title. They were one of four ECRC members [AIC, BC, UAlbany + UMass] that participated in the 2012 Collegiate Cup Sevens Series this past spring consisting of tournaments at UNH, UAlbany and Boston, MA.
East Coast Rugby Conference Schedule
09/14 UAlbany at AIC
09/15 UConn at BC, Middlebury at UMass, Northeastern at So CT
09/22 BC at UAlbany, UConn at AIC, Northeastern at Middlebury, So CT at UMass
09/29 AIC at BC, UConn at UAlbany, UMass at Northeastern, Middlebury at So Ct
10/13 AIC at Northestern, UMass at UAlbany, Middlebury at UConn, So Ct at BC
10/20 UAlbany at Middlebury, UMass at AIC, Northeastern at BC, So CT at UConn
10/27 AIC at Middlebury, UAlbany at So Ct, BC at UMass, UConn at Northeastern
11/3 AIC at So Ct, UAlbany at Northeastern, BC at Middlebury, UMass at UConn
Teams at a glance:
American International College
Key returning players:
Prop Jamal Hadley, scrumhalf Corey Newton, wing John Corpuz-Jackson
New impact players:
Freshman Flyhalf Tyler Nawrocki, freshman No. 8 Marshall Godfrey, transfer center Benjamin Roach
Team strengths:
Athleticism,Open Style of Play,Work Ethic
Looking to improve:
Structure,Forward Play,Kicking Game
Outlook:
Coach Josh Macy "We're ecstatic to be involved with the East Coast Rugby Conference. The inter team relationships we have been able to create in a short time will only be topped by getting to know the other teams and enjoying this competitive group of schools."
Boston College
Key returning players:
Returning as a four-year starter and captain of the team, Brendan Quinn has made the move from prop to flanker, looking to be able to help lead the team around the field more and make more open field tackles.
New impact players:
Freshmen Joey D'Antonio came out to camp and instantly made an impact as a well conditioned winger with speed and agility on the outside. Look for him to make an impact late in the game as other players are wearing down physically and mentally.
Team strengths:
Speed all around the field with great passing abilities from 1-15
Looking to improve:
Discipline and to stop committing sloppy penalties.
Outlook:
"Everyone for the regular season to start. With 10 returning Seniors who have been contributing to the A side since joining the team, we feel like this season will be a great opportunity to bring Boston College back to the forefront of East Coast Rugby. We are looking forward to defending our 7s tournament victory from last season, and hope to compete for the league title in 15s all the way to the very end." -Eric Gordon
Middlebury College
Key returning players:
Allan Stafford; Brian Sirkia; Ben Stasiuk; Laird Silsby
New impact players:
Griffin Jones, Cole Baker, Aaron Yappert, Demetrius Borge
Team strengths:
Set plays, ball skills, kicking game
Looking to improve:
Lack of regular season experience for several starters
Outlook:
Dusty Attwood-Dupont-“Going into its second year of Division 1 ECRC play, in addition to returning a core group of starters and welcoming home several past stars from their studies abroad, the MCRC is primed to bounce back from a disappointing rookie campaign last season. Energized by the first ever pre-season camp and the emergence of several young standouts, the MCRC is hungrier than ever, and is ready to once again compete with best New England has to offer.”
Northeastern University
Team strengths:
Backline, ability and willingness to learn. The attitude is very positive and they believe in our new systems.
Looking to improve:
Moving from an athlete driven approach to a team system approach
Outlook:
Coach Jamie Green “The attitude is very positive and they believe in our new systems. Added to that is their embodiment of the maddog spirit. They are ready to put in the hard word work...they have Grit!
Southern Connecticut University
Key returning players:
Chris Rosa
Team strengths:
Strong Pack, tough defense
Outlook:
Looking to get back to the form that produced a playoff team in 2010
University at Albany
Key returning players:
No. 8 Adrian Newell, center Moses Aisi, lock Gavin Gyimesi
New impact players:
Freshman lock Mike Dombrowski, Oli Kemp
Team strengths:
Nice mix of veterans and young players, strong back line and a mobile pack
Looking to improve:
Playing within the system. Stay focused for entire 80 minutes.
Outlook:
UAlbany Coach John Durant “ We can be a very good team if we stay focused for the entire 80 minutes and run our system.”
University of Connecticut
Key returning players:
Scrumhalf Kyle Piscioniere, center Mike Kot, prop Aniello Franzese, flanker Adam Papa
New impact players:
Jake Pesci, Fairfield Prep grad and No. 8
Team strengths:
Powerful Scrum, New offensive game plan
What your team needs to work on the field:
Executing game plan and playing 80 minutes as a cohesive team
Outlook:
UConn Prop Aniello Franzese-"UCRFC is looking to start the season strong this weekend against BC with 12 returning seniors we hope to have strong experienced players on the field working to our advantage"
University of Massachusetts
Key returning players:
Nik Wojkielo
Team strengths:
Excellent team speed, strong numbers
Outlook:
Looking to make an impact in second year of D1AA after a strong D2 run in 2010
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