With two big wins over the past week, the Crusader Rugby Team improved its record to 8-2. Last Thursday the Crusaders took on newly formed Lake Area. Lake Area is coached by former Br Martin, LSU, and US star Adam Ducoing ’06. The Crusaders took the field against the large, physical Lake Area team and played tenaciously. The game was a slugfest as Brother Martin could not cross the try line in the first half, but was able to kick 3 penalty kicks for a 9-0 lead at half. The second half was a physical as the first, but Brother Martin was able to put a few more points on the board and keep Lake Area off the score board for a well- earned 23-0 victory.
This Thursday Brother Martin hosted St Pius from Houston, TX, who had beaten the Crusaders at the final whistle last year. With that in mind Brother Martin was out to avenge its heartbreaking loss. The Crusaders controlled the tempo, possession and field position in the first half, but was only able to manage a 15-3 lead. Numerous dropped passes, errant passes, or misreads kept the Crusaders from scoring more in the first half. However Brother Martin maintained its composure and continued to pressure St Pius in the second half until the floodgates opened. Br Martin successfully avenged last year’s loss 49-6, allowing two penalty kicks but no tries.