The Banquet: Goldschlager 50 Swarthmore 0
Liquor Tries: all by the Hot Tamle
Swarthmore Tries: none
For the second straight season, the banquet was a lost cause. We lost Gangreen early but at least Tony didnt jump out of the window. The captains paid for their awards dearly with more Teppy could handle. Guy gave the team something that redefined the meaning of phat. Killawookie left something of himself in Paces. Bryce was renamed: El Presidente. It was fun: I only wish that I could remember it.
Game 8: Swarthmore 50 Villanova 3
Swarthmore Tries: Jason Dougal (3), Chaz Teplin, Eric Ellingson, Tom Hooper,
Jack Schecter, Chris Jahnke
Swarthmore Conversions: Chaz Teplin (5 of 8)
Villanova Penalties: 1 of 1
Swarthmore started early with a try by Chris Jahnke. The forward pack was absolutely dominating and was able to put two more over during the first half. Villanova was completely unable to stop Swarthmore's lineout attack. In fact, Nova only won one lineout, thrown to the one-man, during the entire game.
Not willing to be outdone, the backs helped out with the scoring in the second half, with tries by Teplin and Hooper. But it was Schecter's game ending try that was the most memorable. The ball came out to Teplin off a ruck. Teplin was able to beat the first line of defense with a fake pass. He then dished the ball off to Tom Hooper who was caught by persuing Nova front 3, but not before he got an amazing pass off to Adam Blescia who was also caught in traffic. But Blescia was able to get off a second amazing pass to fullback Guy Danilowitz. Danilowitz was able to draw the last defender before giving the ball up to Schecter who touched the ball down to the "roar" of the crowd. The Swarthmore back line, stunned with what they had done, stood with their mouths open and their arms raised in triumph.
Game 7: East Strousburg 14 Swarthmore 0
Strousburg Tries: 1
Strousburg Conversions: 0 from 1
Strousburg Penalties: 3 from 3
Swarthmore Penalties: Tony Sturm (0 from 2), Chaz Teplin (0 from 1)
Swarthmore returned on Thursday from fall break for their playoff game with E. Strousburg. But the team that was put together was missing many of its key players and never really stood a chance. E. Stousburg dominated most of the play but was unable to put the ball in the try zone in the first half, settling for three Penalty Kicks. In the second half, Strousburg finally made it into the try zone to conclude their 14 points.
Dan Green and Eddie Gonzales played admirably in their first A-side experiences.
Game 6: Swarthmore 10 Drexel 0
Swarthmore Tries: Tony Sturm
Swarthmore Conversions: Chaz Teplin (1 from 1)
Swarthmore Penalties: Chaz Teplin (1 from 1)
This win placed Swarthmore in the playoffs. It was an extremely wet game and Swarthmore was missing some of its key players but was able to come up with the win. The most impressive moments occured during the second half when the Buzzards kept Drexel out of the try zone with their backs against their goal line for over 10 minutes.
The key score of the game occurred in the first half when Tony Sturm picked up a lose ball at the Drexel 40 meter and outran his opposition down the sideline to score his first try. Teplin added the conversion and, later, a penalty kick.
Game 5: Swarthmore 24 UPENN 22
Swarthmore Tries: Jason Dougal, Chaz Teplin (2)
Swarthmore Conversions: Chaz Teplin (3 from 3)
Swarthmore Penalties: Chaz Teplin (1 from 1)
UPENN Tries: 3
UPENN Conversions: 2 from 3
UPEEN Penalties: 1 from 2
The Buzzards came out very slowly, giving up two early tries as Penn exploited weaknesses in the Buzzard's weak-side play. Swarthmore was able to score penalty before the half, however, and began to take control of the game. The second half began just as the Buzzard's hoped as Teplin scrum-halfed the ball at the Penn 5 meter, faked the pass, and dove under a few UPENN ruggers to bring the score to 12-10. UPENN was able to extend its lead, however, with a penalty kick, bringing its lead back up to 5. However, the Swarthmore forward offense was working well and Jason Dougal was able to fall over a maul into the try zone. With Teplin's kick, the Buzzards took the lead 17-15. The game took its final turn as Swarthmore was able to drive down once. Once again, Teplin was able to score as he tumbled off of a maul (thanking Ellingson as he fell). With the kick, Swarthmore went up by 9. An embarressing last minute try by UPENN was not enough and Swarthmore won the game 24-22.
Good games were played by most of the Buzzards. Simon Harding played well in his first A-side game. Bryce Walker showed the team the complete player that he has become with his additions to the forward offense. Jason Dougal was able (once again) to shut down the UPENN "select-side" wing forward and help control the forward play. Dan Schwan sucked it up and played well at second row. Chris Jahnke also played well.
In the B-side game Swarthmore was playing well until late in the second half when Penn took control. Dan Green played excellently and outran about 5 Penn B-siders to score his first try to chants of "Hey, Zulu warrior !".
Game 4 : Kutztown 27 Swarthmore 12
Swarthmore Tries: Tom Hooper, Chaz Teplin (penalty try)
Swarthmore Conversions: Chaz Teplin 1 from 2
Kutztown Tries: 4
Kutztown Conversions: 2 of 4
Kutztown Penalties: 1 of 1
The Buzzards were never out of this game but they were never quite in it either. Congratulations Tom, on your first try and John and Tony, on your first A-side matches. Let it be said that the Buzzards did not find the Kutztown play to be particularly sportsmanlike.
Game 3 : Princeton 52 Swarthmore 7
Swarthmore Tries: Dan Barrick
Swarthmore Conversions: Chaz Teplin 1 from 1
Princeton Tries: 8
Princeton Conversions: 4 of 8
To put it simply, the Buzzards were beaten by a superior team in Week 3. The game started well with a Teplin's best up and under of the season that landed on the Princeton 5 meter and proceeded to take a couple of Swarthmore bounces before being fallen on by a hustling Dan Barrick for an early try. With Teplin's conversion, it looked like it would be the Buzzard's day. But the quality of Princeton's Post and Clear Offense quickly became apparent.
After Swat's early try, they didnt touch the ball very much at all. The game was dominated by Princeton's post and clear offense. Swarthmore played good defense but their fate was certain as Princeton was able to retain posession for almost the entire game. Despite the loss, strong hearts were apparent in Eric Ellingson, Tom Hooper, and Mark Pletcher.
In the B-side game, Princeton's offense again dominated the game despite tackle after tackle made by Tony Sturm. All of Swarthmore's B-Side looked better and better. It should be noted that Joe Khan did excellently in keeping together an inexperienced pack that was "supported" by the infamous pair: "Iggy and Choe" who managed to earn the beer.
After the game, the men were able to help the women's team celebrate their victory over the pleasant Rutgers Team. Non-contact stick races and general sloppiness by all made for an excellent time.
Game 2 : Swarthmore 24 LaSalle 10
Swarthmore Tries: Jason Sturm, Eric Ellingson, Chaz Teplin (2)
Swarthmore Conversions: Chaz Teplin (2 from 4)
LaSalle Tries: 2
LaSalle Conversions: 0 from 2
The Buzzards dominated the game at the beginning but were not able to get a try until about halfway through the first half when Teplin was able to score from close range. The conversion made the score 7-0. However, Swarthmore's domination was quickly challenged as LaSalle returned to score and threaten again before halftime. Their missed conversion, however, left the score 7-5 for the 'Zards.
Swarthmore was able take control again in the second half with tries by Teplin and a "forward" score by Eric Ellinson. Duke's score was a display of the success of the Buzzard Maul. However, LaSalle was able to close the gap when their inside center made a long run from the Swarthmore 22 meter. The nice run was fascillitated by a lack of coordination in the Buzzard defense. But the Buzzard win was certain when scrumhalf Jason Sturm made an excellent individual effort to score a try (depite diving at the 5 meter). It should be noted that excellent games were had by Elijah Porter, in his first A-side match, Jack Schecter, despite his hampered knee, Matt Miller, who played his first game as a loose forward when Jim Tracy had to leave the game, Tom Hooper, in his first game at IC, and Dan Barrick.
After the game, LaSalle made a quick escape, leaving plenty to drink for the thirsty Buzzards. The rookies, especially, made a good showing, learning songs and paying any punishment dealt by the Morals Court. We all had fun witnessing Tony's great escape and hoping he was still alive.
Game 1 : Scranton 25 Swarthmore 18
Swarthmore Tries: Chaz Teplin, Matt Miller
Swarthmore Conversions: Chaz Teplin (1 from 2)
Swarthmore Penalties: Chaz Teplin (2 from 2)
Scranton Tries: 3
Scranton Conversions: 2 from 3
Scranton Penalties: 2 from 4
Scranton scored first about 10 minutes into play with their scrumhalf making a 10 meter run off of a ruck. Swarthmore quickly came back with a 3 point penalty kick. The next score was a penalty kick by Scranton. Swat scored next, as Teplin made a run and a was able to pick up the ball after being tackled to score. At this point the forwards took over, with Scranton mauling into the try zone for a 12 point lead. However, the Buzzards returned the favor, mauling ten meters in off a line out and tying the game. The decisive try was scored with about 5 minutes left as an errant grub kick was blocked into the hands of Norsman back during a second phase Buzzard back line.
Tries
Chaz Teplin -- 7
Tony Sturm -- 1
Jason Dougal -- 4
Tom Hooper -- 2
Jason Sturm -- 1
Matt Miller -- 1
Eric Ellingson -- 2
Dan Barrick -- 1
Chris Jahnke -- 1
Jack Schecter -- 1
Conversions
Chaz Teplin (15 from 21)
Penalties
Chaz Teplin (3 from 5)
Tony Sturm (0 from 2)