Men's rugby team falls to Ohio State 28-15

Saturday's game against Ohio State proved to be not only the season's biggest game for the men's rugby team but also its biggest disappointment. The Hoosiers scored only twice during the game and gave up twice as many tries in a game that left them just out of reach of the national final four tournament. The Hoosiers lost 28-15.\nBefore the game started, rallying cries could be heard from IU's huddle in midfield. One player shouted, reminding his teammates the win was for "Sopa," their coach Sarasopa Enari, who was unable to attend the game.\nThe first half began with IU scoring first with a kick from senior Ryan Nystrom, but Ohio State followed suit.\nSenior co-captain Trent Hahn said the Buckeyes' size hindered the Hoosiers' control of the ball.\n"They were bigger," he said, "and we just couldn't get possession of the ball."\nPossession changed several times between the teams, with the ball staying mostly in IU's half of the field.\nOnly twice during the first half did anyone score on a try, and both attempts were made by the Buckeyes. Fitness coach Trevor Brown, filling in for Enari, said Ohio State's start was skillful, but he regretted their scores later in the game.\n"Their first try was earned," Brown said. "But we gave them the last three with our lack of moving the ball and controlling it."\nThe second half looked promising for the Hoosiers as junior Brian Englum scored on their first try. Before this attempt, IU seemed to have lost its intensity for a moment. Brown said his team looked down throughout the middle of the game.\n"At times we played with a lot of intensity," Brown said. "From the end of the first half to the beginning of the second half, we just looked like we didn't want to be out there."\nOhio State answered the Hoosiers' goal with another try and kick that brought the score to 28-10. Sophomore Josh Schwab then scored for the Hoosiers and lifted the score to 28-15, the final score of the game.\nBrown was heard from the post-game huddle telling his players not to blame the game on the referee but to be proud of their fight against Ohio State, the "better team."\nNystrom couldn't say the Hoosiers did only one thing wrong to lose the game.\n"OSU was a better team," he said. "We fought hard, they fought harder. It was an all-around effort. Sometimes you play better teams, and sometimes better teams win."\nIU's loss should have meant there would be no trip to the final four, but Brown told his players there is a chance this year; the top three finishers in the Mid-West Tourney would be admitted into the round. If this happens, next week's game in Indianapolis could place the Hoosiers in the final four.\nHahn said he was disappointed after the game but said he was looking forward to nationals.\n"It was the biggest game I've played since I've been at IU," Hahn said. "And hopefully (U.S.A. Nationals) will take three (teams)"