Anthem RC Knocked off by NE Free Jacks, 6-26

CHARLOTTE, NC (April 18, 2025) – A sturdy defensive line made things difficult for Anthem RC as they fell to the league champions New England Free Jacks Friday night 6-26 at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

The home side got on the board early, sparking the crowd into life as former Free Jack Mitch Wilson drilled his kick through the uprights following a New England penalty.

The champions responded eight minutes later as Paula Balekana touched down to make it 7-3 to the visitors.

Anthem wanted to take their points however they could get them in the first half and Wilson knocked another penalty kick through in the 22nd minute to cut the deficit to one.

As Anthem attempted to flip the field in the 28th minute, Wilson’s kick was saved from going into touch and the Free Jacks immediately took it the other way for a score. However, the TMO had other ideas and called the try back for a forward pass, taking the points off the board.

The Free Jacks got their points though right before the halftime break. The visitors stole an Anthem line out and seconds later, Balekana had his brace to send New England to the locker room with a 14-6 advantage.

Neither team could find any momentum in the second half. New England’s defense proved to be a massive obstacle for Anthem’s attack. In the same vein, Anthem pressed New England’s possessions and forced the Free Kicks to kick often out of their own territory.

The first points of the second half weren’t scored until the 69th minute when New England’s Jed Melvin found the try zone. The conversion kick was missed, leaving it still a two-score game.

The dagger came in the 73rd minute as Anthem turned the ball over right in front of their try zone and New England’s Isaac Olson walked in for a try, effectively sealing the match.

QUOTES:

Mitch Wilson on facing his former side:

“I think throughout the game there was a lot of excitement. It’s a lot of friends on the other team, but you want to compete and give them your best look and compete with them as you would if you were still on their team training against them. Towards the end of the game, it was quite emotional. I just really wanted to give it my all today.”

Connor Mooneyham on reaching the MLR 50-cap milestone:

“It’s honestly a milestone that you don’t really think about when you first enter the league and then as you get closer and closer to it, it’s sort of a goal in your mind. To be able to with some of your best friends here in Charlotte, it’s been an absolute privilege.”