In the opening minutes of the men's rugby team's match against Connecticut College last Friday, left wing Sean Lasoff '10 broke his nose battling for possession in a pack of players. One minute after Lasoff's injury, Connecticut scored a try, equivalent to a touchdown in football, and kicked a goal, opening a 7-0 lead and never looking back. Brandeis eventually lost the game 27-0 for its first defeat this season, but team members remained optimistic.

"The team's performance was a little inconsistent. I would have liked to see more field mentality, but it was a pretty good showing," forward and captain Ben Rotstein '09 said.

Brandeis gave up 22 points in the first half, but only allowed five points in the second half, substituting different defenders into the game regularly. The team did this despite playing the final five minutes with one fewer player than Connecticut after tighthead prop Nate Goldstein '09 got a yellow card for tackling a player above the shoulders.

Offensively, Brandeis struggled to advance the ball, as the team was consistently unable to transfer the ball up the field in good offensive positions. Even though the team did not score, coach Justin Hopson lauded blindside flanker Stanley Chen '10.

"[Chen] had a phenomenal game both offensively and defensively. He had several great runs and some phenomenal tackles," Hopson said.

As the game continued, Hopson expanded the typical player rotation to ensure that new members were able to compete in the game. Rotstein said the spring season is a chance to groom new players for the more competitive fall schedule.

"Spring season is all exhibition. [During the first half of the game], we play more legit, but [during] the second half we just make sure that everyone cycles in and that everyone understands the game mentality and strategy," Rotstein said.

As the team continues to develop its new players, Hopson emphasized the need to build chemistry.

"We need to play together and practice together. It comes down to an issue of people picking to play a team sport or an individual sport. You need to make that dedication to that team sport," Hopson said.

The team plays in a doubleheader against Curry College and Champlain College in Milton, Mass. next Sunday.