NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Monroe College rugby team earned their first win in program history on Sunday with a 34-29 victory over SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx. The team is now 1-1 on the season.
Maritime started strong, taking a 19-0 lead with three tries in the opening 15 minutes. Monroe got on the scoreboard when Cahlil Ross earned an interception try. Later, Sellis Roberthson picked off the back of the scrum and ran the length of the field for his second try in as many games. Monroe trailed 19-10 at halftime.
The second half began with three Monroe tries, one each from Michael Yeboah, Mark Siracusa, and Kyle Chester. Maritime regained the lead with just ten minutes left, and it looked like the Mustangs were headed for defeat when the game took an exciting and unexpected turn.
The Mustangs answered with some quick thinking and clever footwork from scrum half Luis Montalvo as he scored a try in the corner to give the Mustangs a 34-29 lead with just five minutes to play. The final five minutes saw Maritime once again hold possession and patiently work their way downfield. As they pummeled the Mustangs’ try line with just a couple of minutes to go, the Mustangs were able to show good defense to hold out and take the victory.
The Monroe College rugby team will return to action on Sunday, September 25th, against Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.