By: Matthew Yodice ‘25 – Published in Fall 2024 Issue 2
Last Friday, under the bright lights of Hickey Field, Siena Men’s Rugby stomped over Fordham’s men’s squad 46-8. Fordham put together a valiant effort in the first half, even holding a brief 8-7 lead over our Saints. By the end of the first half, Siena held a 14-8 lead over the Rams. In the second half, Siena came alive, as they completely dominated Fordham and sent them back to the Bronx.
After the game, I was able to talk to the Scheurer brothers, Mike (Flanker) and John (Lock), about the game against Fordham, their season so far, and what they are looking forward to for the rest of the year.
John and Mike were ecstatic while talking about playing on Hickey Field in front of a packed crowd of Siena fans. John said that even though the lights were tough for catching lineouts, but the atmosphere was “undeniable.” He loved to see how into the game the crowd was. He felt the tension in the bleachers during their competitive first half, but as the Saints dominated the second half, he saw the energy shift as Siena and the crowd got into a frenzy watching their team pummel Fordham. Mike was most taken aback from hearing people scream his name from the stands, he said he had no idea how many people were there to support him. He loved seeing support from the fans, and though the turf doesn’t make for the most ideal playing experience, the bleachers at Hickey Field make for a much more accessible viewing experience for fans.
In their opinion, the rugby squad has had a somewhat underwhelming start to the season. The brothers believe that they should be 3-1, but a loss against American International College has brought them down to 2-2. Even though they switched to another gear in the second half against Fordham, they were disappointed in their first half performance, though they clearly made adjustments at the half which propelled them to victory. Though John and Mike have no excuses, there are some reasons that they credit for their inconsistent start. A new offensive system, for one, has lead to some disorientation on the pitch. There is a lot more passing involved, more quick decisions to be made, and much more communication is necessary than what the team is used to. This past game against Fordham was the first game where this new system was implemented, so naturally it will take some time for the team to adjust, but the Scheurers are confident and believe the team will excel in this new playbook.
Rugby is an entirely physical sport, which takes an unbelievable toll on someone’s body. Playing through a whole season is something that takes full commitment of body and mind. I asked the brothers how they prepare for each game both mentally and physically. Mike says he likes to feel comfortable while playing, so this new offensive system has made him anything but comfortable as he is playing out of his normal position. He knows, though, that the more he plays the more confident he’ll become in his new role. Both John and Mike like to play when they’re a little angry, it helps them get into a competitive mindset. Though he likes to be angry while playing, John said he likes to let loose and joke around with his teammates before the game. The brothers will also always get together the Thursday before a game to go over plays and formations. The night before a game, John and Mike both stay away from anything rugby-related and try to relax and unwind before going to battle on Saturday.
I have known the Scheurers since our freshman year, and if there’s one thing I know about them, it’s that they have a fiery passion for the game of rugby. I asked them what game they were looking forward to the most for the rest of the season, and they both responded simply: The next one. I think this sentiment is shared among the whole team. They are always ready to play, ready to play hard, and ready to play to win. They are never looking too far ahead and are always ready for their next matchup.
Siena Rugby will have their last home game on Saturday, the 12th, against Iona. They finish their season on the road for three straight games as they hope to secure a playoff spot and fight for a national championship.