At the opening whistle, Loyola booted the kick-off deep in GW's territory. The first few phases were hard forward runs, looking for an opportunity to set-up a clear kick from inside GW's 22 meter line.

GW Rugby fought out of it's own end, but couldn't string together any mistake-free phases to create an early scoring opportunity. The first 15 minutes of the match resembled a scrum clinic more than an actual rugby game.

Eventually, an over-zealous Loyola defender jumped off-sides, incurring a penalty, and subsequently created GW's first scoring drive. Senior Prop Kostas Skordalos took the penalty tap and slammed into the Loyola line. Immediately following was a quick pass to Junior Flanker Brandon Hoffman, who broke the line and fell into the try-zone. Conversion missed. GW 5-0

Minutes later, aggressive defense from Freshman Prop Lee Winkler created a turn-over on Loyola's side of the 50 meter line. The forwards pounded the ball hard, pulling in several of Loyola's tacklers. Senior Scrumhalf Trevor Ceniviva tossed a quick pass to Senior Fly-half Paul Asercion who attacked the short-half of the field, drawing a final defender, before flipping it outside to Junior Wing Sean Goonen, who finished the score in the corner. Conversion missed. GW 10-0

Halftime

The second half saw more opportunities for GW Rugby, but only a handful were capitalized on. A GW scoring drive was thwarted when a GW player knocked the ball on while being tackled. However, GW stole the ensuing scrum and Freshman Flanker Jullian Cockerell picked the ball from the scrum to send the Loyola defense back peddling. Following a hard attack from Skordalos, GW attacked the weak-side and Hoffman put down his second try. Conversion missed. GW 15-0

Immediately following this score, GW found its way back into Loyola's territory. Skordalos punished Loyola defenders who got in his way, forcing their entire defensive line back on their heels. Again, exploiting the weakness on the weak-side, Cockerell attacked hard, drawing the last defender, and off-loaded to Freshman Wing Harry Page-Salisbury, who finished GW's fourth try in the corner. Conversion missed. GW 20-0

Finally, a scoring opportunity materialized for Loyola after a GW penalty provided a line-out deep in GW's 22. After some sloppy play, Loyola regains its composure long enough to pound in a forwards oriented try. Conversion made. GW 20-7

The confidence from this score seemed to give Loyola a renewed passion for the game and kept the pressure on GW's defense. Pinned deep once again, GW was forced to clear kick, but a well placed boot, lead to a missed played ball from a Loyola wing. Page-Salisbury restarts the attack after the turn-over, cutting from the sideline back in. Cockerell, running in support, knifes through the hole, scampering for 40 meters in for the try. Asercion converted. GW 27-7

Before time was up, a poor decision on a GW clear kick mixed with bad defensive alignment led to an easy score for Loyola in garbage time. Conversion missed. Final GW 27-12

Overall, a strong start to the season, but leaving GW Rugby plenty of room for improvement.

The B-side fought hard in the second match, but fell short 12-7. The lone try was a hard forward run from Junior Prop Albert Anaim. Senior Center Taylor Mauck converted.

Next Up: GW hosts Columbia University on Saturday, March 1st at 4pm at Hains Point field in Washington, DC. More information to follow.