Black Knights Earn Conference Victory

Saturday, October 19

West Point, NY

12 PM

Army West Point

St. Bonaventure

Black Knights Earn Conference Victory

October 19, 2019 | Men's Rugby

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army West Point men's rugby team returned to the win column Saturday at the Anderson Rugby Complex, as the Black Knights defeated Rugby EAST opponent St. Bonaventure, 43-19.

"I really liked how switched on and engaged we looked, sounded, and felt," said head coach, Matt Sherman. "That's the main reason we had our best performance of the season. For about 60, 65 minutes, we played really consistent, high quality rugby. Now we just have to chase 80 minutes of that kind of play."

HOW IT HAPPENED

Army put the pressure on right from the start. Strong scrum play led to a Paul Adams try in the 11th minute. Jack Royston added the conversion to make it 7-0.
The Black Knights stayed on the offensive through most of the first half. Ben Vasta was able to muscle in for a try to extend the lead. Royston's second conversion made it 14-0 in the 27th minute.
Army was able to keep pushing right before the half. Off a scrum, Collin Grosse weaved his way in for the try. Royston's kick made it 21-0 at the half.
St. Bonaventure was able to capitalize on their opening possession of the second half. Charles Schwenk crossed the try line to make it 21-5 in the 44th minute.
The cadets were able to get back on the offensive. After a strong scrum, Marco Carrabotta was able to dot the try. Royston added the conversion to extend the lead to 28-5 in the 50th minute.
The Bonnies would respond with a try and conversion to make it 28-12 in the 58th minute.
Carrabotta got his second try of the day after bulldozing his way into the try zone in the 62nd minute.
The Black Knights kept their foot on the gas, as Grosse got his second try of the day after showcasing his speed and power down the sideline. 38-12 in the 68th minute.
St. Bonaventure kept fighting till the finish, as Wesley Chiromo would score in the 75th minute to make it 38-12.
Not to be outdone, Maxwell Sackett capped the day for Army, as he raced down the sideline in the 79th minute to score a try and finish the scoring for both teams.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

The Black Knights are now 6-0 all-time against the Bonnies in varsity 15s play.
Carrabotta's two tries puts him atop the team lead in tries this season with six total.
Grosse's two scores were his first two tries of the 15s season.
With his four conversions on the day, Royston now has eight this fall.
Vasta is now tied for third on the team with three tries.
Adams and Sackett each scored their first try of the 15s season.

SCORING TIMELINE VS ST. BONAVENTURE

11th minute: TRY -- Paul Adams; Conversion (Royston) -- Army (Army leads, 7-0)
27th minute: TRY -- Ben Vasta; Conversion (Royston) -- Army (Army leads, 14-0)
40th minute: TRY -- Collin Grosse; Conversion (Royston) -- Army (Army leads, 21-0)
44th minute: TRY -- Charles Schwenk -- St. Bonaventure (Army leads, 21-5)
50th minute: TRY -- Marco Carrabotta; Conversion (Royston) -- Army (Army leads, 28-5)
58th minute: TRY -- Joshua Smith; Conversion (Smith) -- St. Bonaventure (Army leads 28-12)
62nd minute: TRY -- Marco Carrabotta -- Army (Army leads, 33-12)
68th minute: TRY -- Collin Grosse -- Army (Army leads, 38-12)
75th minute: TRY -- Wesley Chiromo; Conversion (Smith) -- St. Bonaventure (Army leads 38-19)
79th minute: TRY -- Maxwell Sackett -- Army (Army leads, 43-19)