The St. Thomas University Tommies dropped a 55-14 contest at the hands of the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers on Sunday evening.
The Tommies got tries from Oliver Larson (Saint John, NB) and Justice Gruben (Kingsclear First Nation, NB), while Larson also converted both tries.
Larson got the Tommies on the board in the first half with a brilliant individual effort as he chipped the ball past the Panthers line, sprinted past them and scooped it up before scampering 35 yards for the try. Larson has continued to be a bright spot for the Tommies early on in the season.
"We have given Oli a green light to go out there and be creative," said head coach Curtis Lauzon. "I think he has really come into his own that way. He had a real showcase of skill out there."
Gruben, a first year player for the Tommies, got his team on the board in the second half with some hard work through the meat of the Panthers defense. He is one of many first year players making an impact for STU this year.
Two more first year players who impacted Sunday's match outside of the score sheet were Philip Schwenteck (Toronto, ON) and Josh English (Fredericton, NB).
"One of the players said it seems like Phil has played five years of rugby, which is unbelievable because its been two games of rugby for him," said Lauzon about Schwenteck. "His game sense and field awareness is unheard of from somebody with such little experience.
"Josh English, who is a football transfer and also new to rugby was incredible today for us."
The Tommies next game will be Sunday, September 29th at home against the UNB Ironmen.