The first year of being a Division I-AA rugby program for the men’s club team has not been the smoothest, but finishing with a win could elevate the team’s spirit heading into the spring.

“A win will be huge for the future,” said junior fly-half Ian Brooks. “We are giving a few select guys a chance to play and are excited to see what they can do. A win would bolster the team’s morale going forward.”

The Flashes (1-4) began the season with many questions to be answered: How would the team respond after missing the spring because of suspension? How will they look in their first season as a Division I competitor?

Brooks said the team was able to take away positives from a mostly disappointing record.

“We have good underclassmen who want to learn and play the game and have learned a lot,” Brooks said. “As far as the upperclassmen, they’ve improved their rugby IQ a lot over the season.”

In order for the team to build off these positives, Brooks said the team will need to incorporate the younger and older players’ strengths.

“In the future, we just need to bring the upperclassmen’s rugby IQ together with the underclassmen’s desire to play,” Brooks said. “The team will succeed from there.”

The Flashes host the Central Michigan University Exiles on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the football practice field next to Dix Stadium.

Kyle Samec is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].