Bethel Rugby Posts Dominant Win Over Taylor University

It was a historic day for Bethel Athletics and the Bethel men's rugby program. The Pilots took the field at the Moose Lodge Rugby Grounds in Elkhart at 1:00 p.m. for the program's first home match. After earning a win last week by forfeit against Indiana Wesleyan University, Bethel took the pitch for the first full game in program history against the Trojans from Taylor University.

During the opening period, both teams were able to cross the goal line, scoring three tries apiece. Bethel capitalized first when Adam Trejo scored the first try of the match, the season and the first try in program history. BC did not convert on the conversion kick and led the match 5-0. Bethel then repeated the feat two more times as Erik Elston made his way past the goal line followed by Trevor Stump while both conversion attempts were also off the mark. Bethel grew the lead to 18-0 after a penalty kick from Jack Dugan sailed through the uprights. Having dominated offensively up to that point, Taylor broke through on a penalty kick and then converted back-to-back tries and conversions to bring the score to 18-17 at the half.

After the break, the Pilots took over the contest. The Pilots ran over the Trojans to the tune of eight tries. Trejo led the charge by scoring three and Patrick Hafenbridle tallied two while Ethan Glasscock, Collin Pepper and Caleb Keas each scored in the period.

Dugan connected on five of the eight conversions, ballooning the final score to 69-17.

The Pilots will be on the road next weekend taking on Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne on Saturday, September 26th at 1:30 p.m.

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