Sports Briefs - August 30, 2018
BEHS RUGBY TEAM TARGETING FUNDRAISING IN OFF-SEASON
The Bishop England Rugby team has released its 2018-2019 team budget and call for sponsors.
The state of the team’s five-year winning history is facing both urgent challenges and sustainable opportunities, according to a press release issued by assistant coach Baron Hanson.
“The sport of rugby is attracting more international families and athletic students to public and private high schools who offer legitimate rugby programs,” stated the release. “Bishop England Rugby is the only parochial-private school Club offering the sport to grades 9-12 in South Carolina. Thankfully, high school rugby’s January-to-June season does not interfere with high school football. Many fall sports athletes elect to play rugby in the spring following fall interest meetings, clinics, and a field trip.”
The team is hoping to raise approximately $34,000 in sponsorships to help offset travel and equipment expenses for 28 players during its upcoming season. BE Rugby has four philanthropic sponsor levels: Player - $1000; Team - $3000; Patron - $5000; and Bishop - $10,000. Various logo, media, and recognition packages are available. All coaches are volunteers (who actually pay USA Rugby to coach), so 100 percent of funds go toward BE Rugby’s equipment, kits, team meal, and travel costs, continued the release. Interested rugby sponsors, corporations, and philanthropists are encouraged to contact Keith Bayer (kbayer@parker.com) or Baron Christopher Hanson (baron@redbaronUSA.com) for a BE Rugby sponsorship meeting.
CHARLESTON BATTERY MATCH UP WITH NY RED BULLS II ENDS IN DRAW
After being reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute, the Charleston Battery earned a 4-4 draw with New York Red Bulls II last Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium on Daniel Island.
Ataulla Guerra scored two first-half goals to bring his season total to 14 and help the Battery to a 3-0 lead heading into the halftime break. Patrick Okonkwo scored Charleston’s other first-half goal in the 28th minute. Okonkwo nodded home a Nico Rittmeyer cross to score his first USL goal of his career.
Following the halftime break, the Battery continued to dominate the match until referee Matt Franz issued a straight red card to Tah Brian Anunga for a coming together at midfield in the 61st minute. Minutes after Franz sent Anunga off, he awarded New York a penalty for a handball in the box. Tom Barlow converted the penalty to make it 3-1.
New York pulled another goal back in the 68th minute through Jose Aguinaga then Barlow scored his second of the game in the 73rd minute to equalize.
After being pinned back in their own defensive third for much of the time following the red card, the Battery earned a corner kick in the 75th minute. Vincenzo Candela served an inswinging corner towards the back post and Okonkwo headed it down past Evan Louro to put the Battery back in front. Barlow completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute to pull the visitors level again.
Barlow rose up and flicked a header from a right-footed cross from the left side that beat Joe Kuzminsky at the near post to make it 4-4.
As injury time wound down, Angelo Kelly scored for the Battery. The ball bounced around the six yard box before Kelly flicked a back heel on frame, forcing Louro to perry it back into the chaos. Kelly finished his own rebound and appeared to put the Battery ahead 5-4, but the referee blew for full time and left the field immediately. The game ended in a 4-4 draw.
The Battery heads out on the road this Friday, Aug. 31, to take on Louisville City FC at Slugger Field.