SPORTS 90
March 29,2000 • the Seahdwk ^ vJ
Clamdiggers fall to Tennessee
by MATTHEW WOODRUFF
Staff Writer
The Clamdigger rugby spring sea
son concluded on Saturday with a
loss to the University of Tennessee.
Undefeated before Saturday’s re
gional playoff match, hopes for a
victory were high, but the team’s
stamina was running low.
Tennessee jumped out to an early
17-0 lead, but two consecutive trys
by UNCW narrowed the score to 17-
14 at the half.
Several minutes into the second
half, a Clamdigger stripped Tennes
see of the ball and sprinted into the
try zone to tie the score, but the play
was called back for an offsides pen
alty.
Tennessee stretched their lead to
twelve with three field goals before
the match ended with a final score
of 26-14.
“We were well prepared and stuck
to our game plan,” said Clamdigger
coach Todd Musick. “Both teams
played superb defense, but the bet
ter team won.”
The Clamdiggers played with in
tensity, but Tennessee’s 42 man ros
ter proved too deepfor UNCW’s
smaller club.
“1 thought we could pull it out,”
said senior Matt Cook. “We’re dis
appointed, but weplayed hard, and
that’s all you can ask for”
“It was a tough game. We made
some mistakes, and there were a few
calls that could’vegone either way,”
said captain Jim Wiseman.
“We had some unlucky breaks,
but they were moreexperienced.”
“Both teams fought hard and
played well,” said Tennessee player
Michael Merschat. “Wecame in ex
pecting a tough game, and we sure
got it.”
The Clamdiggers finish the sea
son at the top of the conference, and
Tennessee will go toAlabama for the
Southeastern championship, where
they will face either Middle Tennes
see Stateor UNC-Chapel Hill.
SPECIAL OFFER
FOOD/ /MACK/, Bilk,
& Boviimg
Every Thursday night from 9 p.m. till
midnight bowl all you want for $5.00.
(Finger foods and drinks are just
$1.50 each!!)
o ,
Cardonal Lanes
7026 Market Street or 3907 Shipyard Blvd.
686-4223 or 799-3023
FIml / tt)»
Despite playing an agressive game, the UNCW Clamdiggers club rugby
team ended the season with a loss to the University of Tennessee last Saturday
Club Sports Roundup
by MATTHEW WOODRUFF
Staff Writer
Women’s Ultimate - The
Seaweed frisbee team traveled to At
lanta on the weekend of March 18-19,
where they beat Yale, Georgia Tech, and
Carelton to win the Terminus Tourna
ment. UNCW hosted the College
Easterns tournament this weekend,
where the Seaweed entered as a number
one seed against eleven other women’s
teams, including last year's
nationalfinal four
The Seaweed are currently ranked
fourth in the nation by the Ultimate
Player’s Association.
Sailing - The UNCW sailing team
traveled to Hampton this weekend to
compete in the Hampton Invitational.
“We’ve been improving each time we
compete, so we should do pretty well,”
said captain Andy Whitaker.
This was the last competition that
featured the larger 420 boats. The team
will next hostthe Laser Open on April 1
and 2, followed by the Atlantic Coast
Championship on May 12-14.
Women’s Soccer - Injuries
and inclement weather have put a
damper on the women’s soccer club this
season. The team traveled to Raleigh to
play NC State this weekend after their
match against UNCO was cancelled.
Also, goalie Liz White was injured when
an unstable goal fell on her head.
The team must now prepare for a 15
team tournament at Clemson this week
end.
“We should do well,” said captain
Meg Holland. “We’ve got some guest
players, andwe're looking forward to
it.”
Rugby - An undefeated season
came to an end on Saturday, when the
Clamdiggers fell to Tennessee in the
first match of the South regional play
offs.
“I thought we could pull it out,” said
senior Matt Cook. “We're disappointed,
but weplayed hard, and that’s all you can
ask for.”
For the latest
UNCW sports
information look
lor Ihe Seahawk
every
Wednesday!