CALIFORNIA, PA - The Franciscan University of Steubenville Baron Rugby team played the California University of Pennsylvania Roosterheads on Saturday. Though they lost, 20-10, the Barons played a closer game than the score would indicate.

The Roosterheads are a traditionally forwards-strong team, having the size to push other teams around in scrums and rucks. The undersized Barons were able to eke out a spectacular last-second win last season, and were hoping that the tactics that won the game last year would prove again successful. The Barons came out with surprising tenacity, with tackles and rucking that kept the score 0-0 until ten minutes before half time, when their big eight man was mauled and pushed into the try zone. Not deterred, the Barons Fly-half Matt Strickland drove around the right goalpost to tie the score 5-5 at half.

The second half saw a renewal of energy from the Roosterheads. Where initially the Barons' hard hitting kept them in the game, the renewed energy pushed the Barons around, allowing 2 tries 20 minutes into the second half. Although the Barons were able to get into the try zone twice in the second half, both were held up and kicked away by the Roosterheads. When Matt Strickland pushed into the try zone for the second time with 25 minutes left, it would be the last time for the Barons. The final score was 20-10.

While there was a loss on the scoreboard, the tackling and hitting displayed by the Barons to keep a team as big as California University of Pennsylvania at bay was incredible. In a game that could have gone either way, the Barons showed their true dignity and passion and held on till the end. The Barons (0-2) play at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Saturday at 1:00.