Neuqua Holds Off Touring SLUH
Neuqua Holds Off Touring SLUH
St. Louis University High is on tour in Illinois and opened up their tour with a defeat at the hands of Neuqua Friday night.
Neuqua took a very nice step forward after a not-so-great showing at the Carolina Ruggerfest—to be fair they had barely got outside for training before that tournament.
This was a close and well-contested match through 50 minutes.
Neuqua defended well but were also guilty of infringing and SLUH did punish those infractions, taking a 6-0 lead on two penalty goals. Neuqua finally got over the line to take a 7-6 lead, but SLUH responded with a try—what would be their only try of the day—and to lead 13-7.
As the first half wrapped up Neuqua charged into scoring position as just as the Wildcats were going to score, a high tackle turned that into a penalty try and Neuqua took a 14-13 lead into the break.
That penalty try led to a yellow card for SLUH so they started the second half shorthanded. But their defense ramped up and held Neuqua scoreless during the yellow card and and in fact retook the lead with a penalty goal for a 16-14 lead.
As the game entered its final 20 minutes, Neuqua started to take control. They ran in three tries in the final section of the game to take what was a very tense game into a relatively comfortable 31-16 victory.
For Neuqua, inside center Easton Taylor was oustanding and was part of a backline effort that included flyhalf Michael Backe. Scrumhalf Nick Northrup provided key relief off the bench and prop Andrew Cohen was a powerhouse up front.
