Courtesy of Yale Men’s Rugby

The men’s rugby team (4–1) lost a tight match against University of Massachusetts Amherst on Saturday. 

Last season, UMass was a competitive opponent for the Bulldogs. The last time the two teams played, Yale narrowly lost by five points. 

This year, many key players were out with injuries during the UMass match. 

“It was tough being out this week because UMass is always a big game for us. They’re one of the top teams in our division every year and it pained me to not be able to help the guys out on the field,” Jack Kim ’27 wrote in a text to News. 

Out with a concussion, Kim said he is planning to continue to help the team however he can. 

“I ran touch on the sidelines and helped where I could in warmups,” Kim wrote to the News. When players are unable to compete, they can “run touch” and become an assistant to the referee, marking when players or the ball go out of bounds. 

The reserve team, known as the Bluedogs, also lost to UMass on Saturday in part due to their low number of available substitutions. Despite the losses, both teams are moving on with positive spirits.

“I’m very proud of how our boys battled against a tough team, especially with how we overcame a short bench and injuries throughout the game,” Max Van Dyke ’29 wrote to the news.

The team will be looking to earn a big win Saturday against Babson College (3–0) in front of alumni in town for the rugby team’s anniversary. 

Yale Rugby will celebrate its 150th anniversary this weekend.