The Mesa State men’s rugby team ended its season with a 27-15 loss to Western State, and ended the season with a 2-4 record.
The Mountaineers scored first to make it 8-0. After a Mesa score, the Mavs were down 8-5 going into halftime.
The Mavs took a brief lead to start the second half, but when Western scored off a blocked kick, they took the lead and never looked back. The Mavs scored one more time on the final play of the game, but the deficit was too much for them to overcome.
“Western is our rival and it was a tough loss,” Mesa’s Kellan Waitley said. “It was our last game and it was at home so it’s rough. It’s also the last game of the season and for our seniors.”
The Mavs kept it close for most of the game as it was just a one score game for the most part. Western was able to put together two straight scoring drives together to put the game out of reach, but that didn’t stop the Mavs from playing all 90 minutes of the match.
“It was really good to be able to score at the very end,” Waitley said. “It showed that we always fight until the very end.”
When the team was caught using illegal players three weeks ago, the loss of the seniors involved made it hard for the team to compete the rest of the year.
“It was hard because they were our leaders,” Waitley said. “It’s hard to play without leaders. They always helped us do what we needed to do to win. “
Despite the trouble, the team got much support from those around them, including members from the women’s rugby team.
“Those are our boys and they take care of us,” captain Mack Lewis said after a win against The University of Wyoming last Sunday. “We are trying to stick by with those still playing. A lot happened with them and it stinks, but there are a few players that have still cared. They just need to get rid of their reputation and play well.”
Despite the losing season, the team still feels good about what they accomplished this year.
“There were a lot of players that stepped up and played well,” Waitley said. “I’m glad that we all got to play together this year.”
u
ahimes@mesastate.edu