The John Carroll men’s rugby club hosted the Hillsdale Chargers at 1:00 p.m. in a thrilling game this past weekend on Saturday, Oct. 7, pulling off a stunning victory against the previously undefeated Hillsdale. The 32-0 victory was a perfect end to the crisp fall afternoon on the quad for the team.

From the first whistle, it was evident that the John Carroll Gators were determined to make a statement. The Gators displayed exceptional teamwork and skill right from the start. Despite the rainy conditions, their defense was rock-solid, not allowing Hillsdale to gain any ground. The forwards were particularly impressive, winning scrums and lineouts consistently, and their strong rucking disrupted Hillsdale’s attempts at maintaining possession.

From the first few points that were scored, the Gators never looked back. Their backline showcased great handling and pace, consistently breaking through Hillsdale’s defense and setting up multiple tries.

Their relentless pressure continued, and the Gators added another try before halftime, entering the break with a 15-0 lead. Their dominance did not stop there. The game against Hillsdale took place in rainy conditions, which had a substantial impact on handling with several drops. However, the Gators displayed aggressiveness in the rucks throughout the match.

In the second half following halftime adjustments, they managed to secure the victory. The Gators continued to dominate, maintaining their tight defense and putting on a show in terms of ball-handling skills.

Hillsdale College, desperate to mount a comeback, tried to muster an offensive push, but the Gators’ defense remained impenetrable; they added two more tries before the final whistle, sealing the remarkable 32-0 victory.

The crowd erupted in celebration as the Gators Rugby team handed Hillsdale College their first defeat of the season. The win showcased the Gators’ dedication, teamwork and exceptional skill on the rugby field.

Matt Baker ’24, President of the John Carroll Rugby Club, provided his insights on the game for his team. He highlighted several key players, including Garrett Manney ‘25, Chris Andrews ‘24 and Cal Radisek ‘24.

“Manney occupying the number 8 position, demonstrated outstanding running and cutting abilities… Andrews, as the number 9 position, excelled in distributing the ball and exhibited excellent tackling skills, contributing significantly to their successful season thus far andRadisek, another standout player, consistently made game-changing plays,” summarized Baker.

Looking ahead, the season appears promising, and the Gators are eager to start the first round of playoffs with a home game on Oct. 21.