Acorns win four ina row; gear up for tough competition at
Sacramento Kickoff Tourney
Morgan Hill – The Live Oak Acorns rugby team is off to a 4-0 start with two wins in a double-header on Saturday at Live Oak. The Acorns’ 15 starters have yet to allow any points defensively and have only played in the first half in each of their four games. Live Oak has outscored its opponents 76-0 in the opening half.
In their first match against Piedmont on Saturday morning, the Acorns shutout Piedmont, 22-0. Dustin Muhn, Will Sparling and Erik Cifuentes each scored a try for Live Oak in the first half of the match. Stephen Silveira was the only Acorn to score in the second half with a try. Cifuentes also had a conversion for the Acorns.
“It was just an incredible defensive effort,” said Live Oak coach Bart Nielsen. “All around we played a good game. Alex Muhn continues to amaze us as a freshman. He’s been working into the mix pretty well.”
In their second game on Saturday, the Acorns took on the Berkeley Rhinos and won, 27-22.
Live Oak had opened up a 22-0 lead by halftime and replaced its starters in the second half.
D. Muhn had three tries in the win for the Acorns, while Silveira and Victor Kalata each added one try. Cifuentes scored on a conversion.
The Rhinos made a push in the second half with the Acorns’ starters on the bench and managed to score 22 points. Berkeley didn’t connect on any conversion and the Acorns held on for the victory.
Senior hooker Mark Pimentel and freshman center A. Muhn were selected players of the game by the Berkeley Rhinos.
“Basically its our second team out there in the second half, so I’m not too worried,” said Nielsen.
This is the second weekend in a row that the Acorns have played back-to-back games in one day. According to Nielsen it will better help the team prepare for the Sacramento Kickoff Tournament Live Oak will be participating in this weekend at Granite Park in Sacramento.
“Our work is cut out for us next Saturday up in Sacramento,” said Nielsen. “This is what they have to do next weekend, get up and play with just 5 minutes rest.”
Live Oak will playing in the gold varsity division of the tournament and will take on three teams in their division. Other teams also participating in the gold division are perennial powerhouse Jesuit, Rio Rugby, Rancho Cordova, the Islanders, the Cougars, Silicon Valley, Christian Brothers, Vacaville and the Golden Eagles.
The Acorns open the tournament against Mother Lode at 11:20 am.
The Sacramento tournament will be a good test for the Acorns as they head into Skyhawk Conference play against College Park on Saturday February 11.
Live Oak returns home on February 17 when they host Los Altos in a night match at 7pm.
