On Saturday April 17th the Pack awoke to find beautiful 80 deg. temps with a slight wind, perfect weather to take on a team from the Bay area of Cal. After a team breakfast next to the hotel pool the Pack traveled to Seminole Soccer Park to go through the check in process. After completing this we watched some of the on going matches until it was time to begin our warm up for the most important match many of our players will ever compete in.

The match began with the Pack receiving the kick off and very quickly scoring a try by #12 Will Teague who also converted to make the score 7-0 after only 3 mins. The Pack looked as though they might blow Cal Maritime off of the field as we were unfortunate not to score two more tries in the opening mins. Cal managed to avoid this by the Pack knocking on a sure try at 5 mins and a forward pass? at least in the Sirs eyes at 7 mins. Cal being the good side that they are scored their first try at the 9 min mark when their very athletic 8-man picked up from the base of the scrum and placed the ball under the posts for an easy conversion and the score was tied at 7-7. Cal Maritime seemed to find their game and scored again at 15 mins when their large,fast and skillful running wing touched down in the corner to make the score 7-12. The Pack much as they have all season quickly answered in the 18th min with a try by #8 Andrew Birch that was converted by #12 Will Teague to move the Pack back in front 14-12. The rest of the half was fairly evenly played with both sides missing convertable penalty kicks.

Cal Maritime opened the second half by using their forwards to try and control play and deny our dangerous backs from getting ball. This resulted in Cal Maritime touching down again at the 51 min. mark when their 8-man scored off of another scrum from 20 meters out. After the successful conversion the Keel Haulers were up 17-14. The Pack fought back and scored a try by #15 Greg Hesler that was converted by #12 Will Teague and at 60 mins. the Pack was back on top 21-17. The heat looked as if it was getting to the Northern Cal guys and the Pack scored another try by Greg Hesler and converted by Will Teague in the 67th min. to put the game out of reach. The Pack finished the game controlling play and were 28-17 victors over the #1 team in the nation.

Needless to say the Wolfpack were quite pleased with themselves. Not only had we come to Fla. and competed and proved to the know-it alls that we belonged here, we beat most peoples choice to win it all. The Pack was through to the Elite 8 round and would take on Miami of Ohio University who had beaten last years champion Middlebury of Vermont 27-23. As Miami had finished #3 in last years tourney we knew that we would have our hands full on Sunday.

01 M Addison
02 S Bahner
03 A Harman
04 A McLean   E Youngs 58 mins.
05 M Daniels
06 C Pearce
07 P Burcal     C
08 A Birch       M Pace   40 mins.
09 C Maxwell
10 R Dow
11 B Maxwell
12 W Teague
13 B Mosiman
14 D Hunt
15 G Hesler

Man of the Match  Greg Hesler & Will Teague

Sunday April 18th the Pack prepared to play Miami of Ohio for the chance to go to Palo Alto Cal. site of the Final Four. Much like Cal Maritime we did not know anything about them as a team. On the other side they did not know much about us either.

The match kick off at 2:00pm with temps much cooler than the day before about 65 degs. and a slight drizzle. The Pack received the opening kick off and after several phases turned the ball over. Miami then proceeded to show that they would be a very difficult team to deal with. They scored tries at 3,9,12, and 17 mins to open up a 26-0 lead. The Pack then seemed ready to play a little and spent the rest of the half camped in Miami’s half of the field but could not score. The half time score 26-0 to Miami.

The second half started much like the first with Miami scoring tries at 44,52 and 56 mins to open up a 43-0 lead. The Pack never quit playing hard and scored a feel good try by #7 Phillip Burcal at 77 mins. to close the scoring at 43-5 for Miami of Ohio. Although we did not play very well in this match Miami of Ohio was the better team in all phases of the game. We wish them well at the Final Four.

At this time I would like to say that it has been my distinct honor to coach the Wolfpack this season. These guys exceeded everyone’s expectations throughout the spring. They trained hard and they played hard. A coach can ask no more.

Also the players and myself would like to thank Dave Egan, Jim Latham, Lewis Lovell and Hamilton Earp for all of their assistance this season. We could not have accomplished the success that we enjoyed this season with out their contributions.

Hope to see many of you this week end at the Alumni Match that will take place rain or shine. If it rains Raleigh have graciously offered their field as a back up. We will keep you informed as to the venue.

01 M Addison
02 S Bahner
03 A Harman
04 A McLean   E Youngs 52 mins.|
05 M Daniels
06 C Pearce
07 P Burcal     C
08 A Birch       M Pace   40 mins.
09 C Maxwell   D McAllister 58 mins
10 R Dow
11 B Maxwell
12 W Teague
13 B Mosiman  B Browers  56 mins
14 D Hunt
15 G Hesler

Man of the Match   Greg Hesler

Robert McAlister
NCSURFC Coach