Pygmies Wilt in Las Cruces Sun

Playing into a moderate first-half breeze with temperatures hovering near 90 degrees, Tech’s forwards looked sluggish as they went about their task of securing ball possession. Powerhouse Tech forward Britt Catron did not start due to a shin injury, and twin tower Dylan Merrigan limped around the pitch with a sprained ankle. The Chiles dominated early possession and launched several dangerous runs.

Each team committed early penalties without serious consequences but three Tech kicks failed to find touch (out of bounds) in the opening minutes, providing the Chiles with counterattacking opportunities. Five minutes into play, several State players handled the ball to send rookie Mike Hanna over Tech’s try line for a five-point try. The conversion kick from John Ellis sailed true and New Mexico State led 7-0. Three minutes later NMSU flanker Chad Tipton faked a pass and shot between defenders to score another Chile try, also converted, for a 14-0 NMSU lead. With ten minutes remaining in the first half, Tech scrumhalf Jay Herrera brought the ball close to the Chile line with a determined solo run. As the Tech captain was hauled down, teammate Marcus Chavez swooped in off his wing to alertly claim the loose ball and dive over to score. Matt Nelson’s conversion kick was good to cut the deficit to 14-7.

Tech’s rising momentum was clipped two minutes later when Nick Falcone’s pass was intercepted by State’s Steve Casey who sprinted unchallenged to the line. The conversion kick was unsuccessful.

Facing the wind and sun in the second spell, NMSU managed to preserve their 19-7 lead despite inspired play on the other side by Falcone, Herrera, Dustin Webb, and newcomers Isaiah Sanchez and Bart Hegarty. After eight minutes of play Herrera finished a fine run of team handling with a short pass to Falcone, who went airborne to bring the score to 19-12. The match wound down with Tech camped in Chile territory, desperate but unable score the converted try which would have forced the game into overtime.

NMSU now faces a long road north to take on Colorado’s southern division leader October 13. The winner of that match will play the northern division champs two weeks later for a pass to the Western Rugby Union collegiate division 2 championship tournament.

New Mexico Tech will seek redemption in Flagstaff the weekend of September 22-23 at the annual Northern Arizona Tens tournament. Over two dozen women’s and men’s teams will compete in both club and collegiate divisions.

-NMT-