On Sunday, September 4, the Colgate University Rugby Football Club defeat­ed Cornell University RFC with a score of 23-15 before a substantial and loud Cornell crowd.

The champions’ fixture is dubbed the “Claret Mug,” and is fought over annu­ally. The Claret Mug Trophy is an en­graved silver chalice manufactured by Oneida Silversmiths.

Colgate had not won the Mug since the autumn of 2004, so a victory at Cornell was a daunting challenge to say the least. But after the August 22 death of their friend and teammate, late senior Victor Krivitski, who waged an eight month-long war with can­cer, the Colgate men were very deter­mined and never had any doubt about the victory.

Senior Dean Cohn scored 13 points by way of a 5-point try, two 3-point pen­alty kicks and one 2-point conversion. Senior co-captain and scrumhalf Jack Henley added a brace of tries to account for the 23 point total. Senior co-captain Marc Foto anchored the scrum from his tight-head prop position. Andrew Sch­lenger and Cam Boriello rounded out the front row. Locks Colin Cowles and Ray Pena added strength in the line-outs, while back-rowers John Reim, Rico Rosa and Graham Rieser attacked and defended with courage and flair.

Cohn’s fellow winger Joe Kelly and fullback JT Colucci terrorized the Big Red with decisive running and smash­ing tackles. Front three Alex Heller, Eric Clopper and Tyler Swiggett were forever on the front foot in attack and defense. The impact substitutions of Eddie Jacob, Matt Flannery, Matt Ford and Michael Hendricks buoyed the scrum. Back line replacements Carl Eckert, James Speight and Nolan Cirillo-Penn were also reliable as the entire 22-man squad ripped the Claret Mug from Cornell’s grasp.

This Saturday, September 10, the Colgate University Rugby Football Club will be hosting its home and league opener against Siena College. The home match is being marked by several special events dedicated to the life of Vic Krivitski. Krivitski’s par­ents will be traveling to Colgate from New Jersey. All students are encouraged to share the joy of Krivitski’s friendship by attending the 1:00 p.m. game. The pregame invoca­tion will be delivered by University Chap­lain Mark Shiner, following a ceremony by a Scottish bagpiper and the American Legion Color Guard. Interim Vice President and Dean of the College Scott Brown will con­duct the ceremonial coin toss, in addition to delivering a few words. Immediately pre­ceding the game, the Colgate Thirteen will perform the national anthem. The game will be played rain or shine.The rugby football club hopes to see all of Krivitski’s classmates and friends for the game and barbeque this Saturday on the Rugby Pitch at Academy Field on Oak Drive.

Contact Matt Flannery at [email protected].