By Scott Michaelis | Photo by Mark Staron | 08.25.18

Cleveland Crusaders DIII  54 – 30 Cleveland Rovers

Selections:

Backs: 15) Alex Dine 14) Mark Staron 13) Dontez Smith 12) Brian Liberatore 11) Ryan Sands 10) Joe Wollerman 9) Scott Michaelis

Forwards:  8) Rory Walsh 7) Justin Rutledge 6) Terry Kilbane 5) Miles Papa 4) Anthony Sessin 3) Danny 2) Jason Mercier 1) Steve Dine

Reserves: 16) Jonathan Kern 17) Justin Isaacs 18) Tom Nemeth 19) Everett Chambers 20) Ben  Szmigielski (21 Zach 22) Steven Anthony 23) Nick

Tries: Terry Kilbane, Alex Dine (2), Bryan Liberatore, Ryan Sands, Anthony Sessin, Everett Chambers (2)

Conversions: Joe Wollerman (7)

The weekend started off with a rivalry match between the DIII side and the Rovers. The game was a clash of styles with the Rovers gaining ground playing a straight forward confrontational running and the Crusaders finding space out wide. Offense ruled the day, but a few key goal line stands by the Crusaders’ defense proved to be the difference in the 54 to 30 victory to start the league season with a victory. Joe Wollerman was awarded man of the match for his work off the tee and spearheading the attack at flyhalf.

Cleveland Crusaders DII    60 – 0 Rochester Aardvarks

Selections:

Backs: 15) Nick Musarra 14) Steve Burke 13) Michael Ciccolini 12) Billy Regan 11) Steve Fritsch 10) Andrew Little 9) Derek Imes

Forwards:  8) Doug Rawlings 7) Preston Lowden 6) Zach Webb 5) Spencer Duncan 4) Joe Brown 3) Dane Szente 2) Mark Viviani 1) Justin Isaacs

Reserves: 16) Steve Dine 17) Terry Kilbane 18) Justin Rutledge 19) Alex Dine 20) Miles Papa 21) Tom Nemeth

Tries: Justin Rutledge, Preston Lowden, Joe Brown, Nick Musarra, Zach Webb, Tom Nemeth (2), Steve Fritsch

Conversions: Derek Imes (7)

Penalty Kicks: Derek Imes (2)

The DII side continued the winning ways against the Rochester Aardvarks with a dominating 60 to 0 victory to make it 2 for 2 for the Crusaders on the weekend. Early scoring and strong defensive efforts shut down a few early promising attacks from the Aardvarks set the tone. Once the Crusaders took control, they were never seriously threatened again, starting the league season right with a bonus point victory. Derek Imes had a great game from the tee, Joe Brown scored a try and had rampaging runs all games, but the man of the match goes to Nick Musarra for the second game in a row.