A forfeit by UIC resulted in a home opening victory for NIU men’s rugby.

Since the Flames didn’t have enough players, the two teams played a friendly match, which NIU won 96-0.

The Huskies, (2-0) controlled the ball for most of the first period, rarely allowing UIC (0-1) to get anything going offensively.

NIU led 53-0 at the end of the first 40 minute period.

The second half was more of the same, as the Huskies continued controlling the ball and scored another 43 points.

A key offensive contributor on Saturday was Man of the Match recipient Pat Caulfield, who recorded three tries in the friendly victory over UIC. Caulfield left the game early in the second period and did not return.

Senior outside center Jacob Goldsmith said there was one key factor in Saturday’s victory.

“Adjustments, when we first came out, you know, we were kind of sloppy but we made some adjustments,” Goldsmith said. “[We] started hitting holes, started off loading tons better for the back line.”

NIU rugby head coach Jim Graeber felt there was another key to the victory on Saturday afternoon, and it was influential well before they played.

“Preparation; they had a good four weeks of practice ahead of them being prepared to play a team regardless of that team’s strength,” Graeber said. “It’s always the preparation they work hard at practice.”

As the season goes on, Graeber has one request of his team.

“Retaining their focus,” Graeber said. “Right now they have a goal ahead of them to win the Midwest, and then the National Championship. To be able to do that you have to stay focused through weather changes. We have nice weather now [but] it’s going get ugly, going to get cold, it’s going to get rainy. It’s going to get more difficult to practice so long as they stay focused and their preparation in practice is as good as it has been they’ll achieve their goals.”