49er News Articles

Long Beach State stomps SC, while Hughes is perfect on all conversions

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
CSULB Rugby Webmaster
November 19, 2006

For the first time this season, Robert Hughes was perfect on all cylinders. The outside half/center for Long Beach State converted all of his points after tries and a penalty, while also scoring one of five tries for the Beach, who avenged a 31-15 loss last season, as well as a loss in last year's CSULB Kickoff Tournament, with a 38-5 hammering of the USC Trojans at the CSULB Rugby Field.

The game consisted of 3 30-minute periods to accomodate all players on both sides. Nick Gasdia opened the scoring for the Beach with a try in the 10th minute, and Long Beach State led 7-0. Gustavo Arechia almost scored the second try for the Beach, but it was called back due to a knock-on. Two minutes later, Monté Fields would come throughthrough with the Beach's second try, and Hughes' second conversion of six made it 14-0 49ers.

In the second period, Robert Hughes converted a penalty in the 21st minute, to make it 17-0 Long Beach State. Brandon Johnson then delivered the third try for the Black and Gold in the 41st minute, and it was 24-0. The 51st minute saw Hughes score his own try, and it was 31-0 at the end of the 2nd period of play. Long Beach State committed 12 fouls in the period, while SC committed only 8.

The 3rd and final period saw Long Beach State slam the door on the Trojans. In the 65th minute, Trevor Matsushima brought home the Beach's final try, and Hughes slotted home a conversion that just shot over the crossbar to make it 38-0. USC would score a consolation try late in the 73rd minute, but by then, it was too little, too late. Long Beach State committeds 7 fouls in the final period, while SC committed 6.

With the win, Long Beach State improves to 6-1 for the year. They will be idle for the Thanksgiving weekend before heading down to UC Irvine on Friday, December 1 to square off with the Anteaters. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
Long Beach State	14	17	7	38
Southern California	0	0	5	5

SCORING

1st Period
10' - LBSU try, Nick Gasdia, Robert Hughes conversion
LBSU 7 - USC 0
20' - LBSU try, Monté Fields, Robert Hughes conversion
LBSU 14 - USC 0

2nd Period
21' - LBSU penalty conversion, Robert Hughes
LBSU 17 - USC 0
41' - LBSU try, Brandon Johnson, Robert Hughes conversion
LBSU 24 - USC 0
51' - LBSU try, Robert Hughes, Robert Hughes conversion
LBSU 31 - USC 0

3rd Period
65' - LBSU try, Trevor Matsushima, Robert Hughes conversion
LBSU 38 - USC 0
73' - USC try
LBSU 38 - USC 5