In existence since 1968, the Terrapins men’s rugby team continued to make a name for itself in one of America’s fastest-emerging sports this season.

Under the leadership of its three-time All-American coach Jeff Soeken, the rugby team started the season with a few hiccups in February, losing scrimmages to Delaware and St. Bonaventure, respectively, but soon hit its stride with a six-game winning streak. The Terps’ success did not stretch to their most recent competition, held over the weekend, at which they lost three matches in the nationally televised Collegiate Rugby Championship, but members said their team is ready to excel next year.

“The Terps handled themselves professionally throughout, and our squad received many complements,” said assistant coach Steve Laake. “I am certain that we will return to next year’s event.”

The Terps compete in the Atlantic Coast Rugby League, which comprises teams from eight ACC schools.

The team won its second straight ACRL championship this season, losing only one league match, to N.C. State after already having clinched the title.

The Terps reached the USA Rugby Round of 16 but lost to Tennessee, the eventual runner-up.

“We played our hearts out against [Tennessee] and, because we lost, I think the team caught some fire under them and worked even harder,” said flanker/hooker Keegan Downey, a senior government and politics major.

The club was also invited to compete in the finals of the Subaru 7s Tournament later in May.

The Terps were unable to continue their success last weekend in Philadelphia, losing three consecutive matches to Dartmouth, Delaware and Florida, respectively, in the round-robin tournament. Eliminated from first-place contention, the Terps avenged their losses on the tournament’s second day in the challenger bracket by coming back to defeat Penn State, 28-26, and beating Oklahoma, 32-12, in the consolation semifinal. The Terps lost to Florida, 20-14, in the consolation final.

“The team knew they had not played to their potential. You could feel them getting laser-focused on upsetting a very solid and big Penn State team,” Laake said.

Recent graduate Trevor Tanifum, a wing/fullback, was the leading try scorer of the tournament and almost tied the tournament record. He was named to the all-tournament team and earned the ACRL Player of the Year award.

Downey gave some credit for the Terps’ victories to their school spirit.

“We were louder than pretty much every other cheering section, even though some brought double the fans,” he said.

While Laake said he would like to see additional support from the university community, Downey said they were proud to represent the school this season.

“Winning the ACRL really brought our team together and gave us the confidence we needed to compete at a high level,” said.

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