The Rugby club concluded this year’s campaign March 31 with a close loss against the University of West Florida in the Bayou Division Championship. The team fell behind after the in-game injuries of Tom Bertran and Anthony Bronzo. They would return, playing through the pain, and Tulane scored on the final play of the game. Time ran out, however, and the Green Wave lost by five points.

The squad’s final record of 11-2 is indicative of the team’s improvement this season. An early highlight of this year was the rout of Loyola, and the Green Wave triumphed 48-14 in the rivalry game. Other wins included lopsided games against Houston, Alabama, Illinois and Louisiana-Lafayette. The Green Wave handed the Rajun Cajuns their only regular season loss.

New head coach Grant McCall, who has won over the team, is one of the key reasons for the squad’s success.

“He’s the best coach Tulane has had in years,” senior team captain Phillip Tretheway said.

The hallmarks of the team were discipline and commitment. Tretheway said it was the most dedication he has seen in his four years on the team. Finding a heavily invested core that is willing to grind it out is always difficult for any club team but is vital to victory on the field. This year’s team sported a larger-than-normal senior group of Tretheway, Bertrand, Zach Monroe, Ian Corcoran, Shaun McCory, Trent Goodin, James Stathatos, Jordan Seragusa, John Hesten, Steve Thon and Nate Joseph; these seniors led the team by example.

The senior cohort does pose some problems for next season. The underclassmen who received playing time this year will have to step up and become leaders – these include Joe Hanthorn, Nathan Joseph, Luis Ayer, Nick Raab and Jordan DeMars.

This year’s rookies are also expected to progress. They have raw athleticism, which should translate into heavy contributions. Key players to watch are Devon Reynolds, Bronzo, Kyle Falby, Jesse Susman and Joey Sullivan.

If the underclassmen have a strong off-season, the club seems poised to maintain the momentum of this year.