GMU's Rugby Team Ends Season On a High Note

By Dustin Post

The George Mason University sidelines erupted in celebration last Saturday, as the Patriots' rugby team upset #11 Georgetown (Division II, Potomac Conference) in the final moments of the game. 

The Mason (GMU) rugby team, which had yet to win a game this season, defeated the Hoyas 17-15.

Georgetown (GU) came into the game with a standing of 3-1-1, tying with George Washington in week four.

The game began with both teams looking evenly matched. The Georgetown backs quickly made a mess of Mason’s backline defense, who struggled to make tackles in the open field. However, GU had no answer for Mason’s power forwards, who dominated in the rucks and scrums. 

The Patriots held GU to five points before the half closed.

As the second half opened, the Hoyas capitalized on the fatigued Mason backline, forcing them to concede two more tries, though GU would fail to make both conversion kicks. 

With the score at 15-0 and time winding down, Georgetown looked sure to win the match.  

With 15 minutes left in the second half, Mason mounted a commanding attack on Georgetown – forcing a hole in their defense – allowing Mason’s Zander Shaw to score.

As the crowd shouted for one more try, Mason did just that, charging down the field within minutes to score again, bringing the score to 15-14.

With less than three minutes to spare, and down by a point, Mason’s forwards plowed through Georgetown’s defense and found themselves knocking at the door of GU’s goal line. But the Hoyas' determined forwards would not allow Mason the try.

Georgetown was able to steal the ball and kicked it to touch.

However, Mason won the lineout and once again, went about crashing the ball near the goal line, desperately seeking the try.

Then the referee’s whistle brought the Patriot barrage to an end – signaling a penalty against Georgetown.

With sticks directly in front of him and no time on the clock, Zander Shaw converted the penalty kick, ensuring the Patriot’s win and closing the game 17-15.

“We did not make playoffs, but we played hard all season. It was kind of a building season,” said Shaw

Mason ended their season 1-5. 

This weekend, Georgetown will play Towson in the Potomac Rugby Championships.