Kloska Community Day Match Ends in 24-24 Tie

STEUBENVILLE, OH - The Franciscan University of Steubenville Baron Rugby team had their first home game this Saturday against the Slippery Rock University Shamrocks. The match ended in a tie, 24-24, putting the Barons at 0-3-1 on the season.

Bringing size and experience to the field, slippery"Rock" rugby posed a formidable threat to the Barons, but they lined up with resolve and fought back. The Barons' success lay in rucking and tackling a team bigger than they were, and allowing a swift and smart backline to tear the "Rock" defense to shreds. A debilitating knee injury to a Rock rugger stopped play for 15 minutes, but the Barons came back from the break with the same fervor. The entire first half was almost scoreless, but Baron fly half Matt Strickland used dazzling footwork and brute force to push into the try zone twice in the last 10 minutes, allowing the Barons to take the lead 12-0 at the half.

The second half held surprises for both teams; Slippery rock sliced through the Baron backline for a try early in the second half, but the Barons quickly volleyed with a try of their own, this time by rookie wing John Manni. The Shamrocks realized their disadvantage in the backline, and started a deadly game of pick-and-go that slammed two tries into the try zone, putting them up 24-19 with one minute left in play. With characteristic dignity and passion, the Barons dug deep, and played out some beautiful switches, strung out the shamrock backline, and, with some amazing communication, the ball flowed from Matt Strickland, Bob Hogan, Edmund Mitchell, and finally to Thomas Kleinshnitz for a try to end the game. Unfortunately, kicker Matt Strickland missed the extra point kick, ending the game in a tie, 24-24.

"We realized their wings and fullback left some holes, so I started popping the ball into the corners," Strickland remarked post-game.  "The roar of the home crowd really inspired me for those last efforts into the try zone. They [Slippery Rock] made it tough for us, but we tackled hard, and had a lot of heart." Strickland was named Man of the Match by head coach Mark Hanrahan.

Saturday, the Barons will have a home match at 1 p.m. against West Virginia University. With the Barons improving every game, this upcoming match could be a season changer for the 0-3-1 Barons.