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Gonzaga Rebounds with Win

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Gonzaga Rebounds with Win

Colleen McCloskey photo.

Gonzaga rebounded form their disappointing loss to St. Edward on Saturday with a 21-6 defeat of St. Ignatius on Sunday.

The game was supposed to be played as a curtain-raiser for the Pro Rugby game in the Village of Obetz just south of Columbus, Ohio. However, rain earlier in the day prompted Ohio Pro Rugby officials to move the game to an adjoining field. There St. Ignatius started very well, with flyhalf Dan Baldado controlling field position expertly. With the slight slope of the field in his team's favor, Baldado was able to use his kicking skills to keep Gonzaga back in their half, and he added two nicely-taken penalty goals for a 6-0 lead.

Just before halftime, Gonzaga finally got on the board. Lock forward Mike Shincovich, who was a monster in the lineout all day, took a throw-in and held on as the Gonzaga forwards mauled it over for a try. Flyhalf Patrick Sheehy kicked the conversion and, somewhat against the run of play, Gonzaga led 7-6 at the break. Baldado almost got the lead back, but his third penalty kick attempt hit the post.

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In the second half, Gonzaga started to get more on the front foot. With prop and captain Dante Lopresti setting the tone and Shincovich playing one of his best games, the forwards were able to get the backs some good ball. Lopresti and Shincovich scored tries, and Sheehy converted both, for a 21-6 victory.

Gonzaga flanker Will Lyke was a definite bright spot for the team this past weekend. The sophomore flanker played back-to-back games for the first time and was outstanding.

"This was a good lesson for us on how to handle a two-game weekend," said Gonzaga Head Coach Peter Baggetta. "That's why we do these types of trips. We need to prepare ourselves for nationals and this was useful for us."