After a disappointing opening weekend, the TCU rugby club rebounded to take home four wins Saturday during the second round of the Southwest Conference at Gateway Park.

The Horned Frogs played Stephen F. Austin, Texas State and their biggest rival, University of North Texas. Each school played six games, three for the rookie team and three for the veteran team. TCU’s rookie team went 2-1, while the veteran team won two games and tied once. The veteran and rookie teams are referred to as the A and B teams, respectively.

“We came out flat in last weekend’s tournament, but today we came out looking better as a unit,” said Joe Kizer, the A team’s captain.

Both TCU teams went 1-2 last weekend to open the season.

Kizer said last year there was a bigger gap in the skill set between the A and B teams. He said this year, both teams have become more competitive and have an equal chance of winning.

Chad Lehew came off the bench in the last few minutes of the second round and turned the game for the A team, according to Kizer. He said before Lehew came into the game, the team was losing by seven points. After he entered the game, they ended up winning by 10 points.

“We’re finally filling in the gaps,” Lehew said. “Our defense is better, our kickoffs are stronger, but we have got to make more tackles.”

He said that the team’s passing skills need improvement, but then again, that’s not what they’re known for.

Lehew’s best advice: “If you don’t know what you’re doing, just take the ball up the field and run over guys.”

Mason Schieffer was a stand out player, as agreed on by all the team’s leaders. Lehew said Schieffer had six tries throughout the day, which according to him, is a lot for a tournament game.

First-year head coach Shay Flowers said the intensity was at a whole new level today.

“They brought the pain,” Flowers said.

The Frogs’ next match is the championship round of the SWC tournament on Sept. 28.

Extra Notes

TCU entered Gateway Park decked out in their new uniforms or “kits” that were purple and white with red accents. The red symbolizes the blood Horned Frogs spit from their eyes…Flowers said he was most impressed by Texas State’s style and physicality on the field…It’s still early in the season, but the Frogs already have their sights set on bigger goals. “Anything less than nationals is a loss,” Flowers said.