Preview by Michael Griffin for Goff Rugby Report.

UConn

Nickname: Huskies     

Home Pitch: Depot Campus Field, Storrs, CT

Head Coach: Bob Merola

2015 Conference Rank: # 7

The UConn Huskies have yet to get their footing in the ECRC. Year after year Connecticut has been a middle of the pack team in this powerhouse of a conference. There largest success in the past two years was arguably a Beast of the East finals appearance in 2015 in an eventual loss to UMass. This past year the Huskies were once again knocked out of Providence Rugby Club’s Beast tournament, this time by a surging URI team. 

It’s hard to pinpoint where exactly the Huskies need the most help. If there is any strength for the boys from Storrs it’s in their pack. Generally the Huskies are big boys who can push you around a bit but run out of steam. If games were only 40 minutes long the Huskies may actually have a winning record. Unfortunately for UConn we play 80-minute matches in the ECRC. 

Coach Merola is doing his best to wright the ship for UConn in his second season. Merola played for UConn during his college days and hopes to bring passion and energy to a team that is desperately trying to get out of the basement of the ECRC. The Huskies have some games they can win this fall if the chips fall their way, such as, at Albany, at Fairfield and potentially at Northeastern. But the test is how they can bridge the gap with the top teams in the conference.