It was a huge weekend in Men’s DII college rugby, and we found some players who went above and beyond; here is this week’s Gamebreakers:

 

Lars Anderson

The Minnesota-Duluth prop has helped the Fighting Penguins dominate the Northern Lights and Sunday’s conference final was no exception. Anderson led the scrum and his game has steadily improved throughout the season.

 

Mike Tillman

The Coastal Carolina center threequarter was a hard-running offensive force for the Chanticleers as they upset East Carolina and pushed UNC-W to the limit. Tillman was also a big part of the Coastal Carolina defense, making massive tackles all weekend.

 

Tom McCrimmon

UNCW coaches say McCrimmon has the physical and mental tools to be successful at a very high level. He trains hard and covers the field at openside flanker. The big Seahawk loose forward was a central part in his team’s conference championship this weekend.

 

Alec Treuthardt for UW-Whitewater. Paul Peckham photo.

Alec Treuthardt

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wing was the Warhawks’ go-to scoring threat as UWW swept the WIIL final four to win the conference. Treuthardt was central to both of UWW’s wins, scoring tries and setting up several more.

 

Riley Peckham 

This Wisconsin-Whitewater prop had all of 30 minutes of A-side experience going into the two toughest games of the week, and against a varsity prop at Lindenwood-Belleville and a much large opposite number at Northern Iowa more than held his own at tighthead. UWW did not lose a single scrum with him on the field, and boasted an excellent tackle rate as well.

 

Cam Maher and Dylan Bergbower

The flanker and center from Grand Valley State were the best of a solid bunch in their team’s close win over Xavier University. Defense from these two was critical as GVSU won the Great Lakes conference.

 

Mike Ehrlich

Rowan University’s Mike Ehrlich scored two tries, kicked two penalties, and added four conversions for 24 points all on his own to pace his side to a MARC conference victory in the final against IUP.

 

Eric Sweeney

The player of the game for Towson University against Salisbury, Sweeney was a smart and calming leader at scrumhalf for Towson in the 13-10 win.

 

Gunter Hubert

With the score 29-22 in RPI’s favor late in the Tri-State Conference final, Molloy was off and running to the corner for what could have been the game-tying try. Hubert tackled the Molloy runner just short of the line, saving the game.

 

Zach Phipps

Missouri S&T clinched their conference with a win over Washington University. Rookie back Phipps continues to play well and was outstanding for the Miners on Saturday.

 

Mike Young

The VMI No. 8 scored five tries in the Cardinals Conference final against Old Dominion.