The Baron rugby regular season ended with a 39–31 loss to Slippery Rock University, in what was a tough back-and-forth match between the two teams. The loss will not cost FUS a playoff spot, however, as the Barons had already clinched their place in the Three Rivers Rugby Conference quarterfinals.

Slippery Rock got on the board first and despite a strong effort, the Barons were not able to overcome a two-try deficit late in the game.

“It was a really, really good game,” head coach Ken DeLucia said. “We had opportunities but it was a good job by the Slippery Rock team.”

Much like the Barons' only other loss of the season, a 31-17 loss to Grove City, the team struggled to overcome its youth and inexperience against an older squad. 

“They have to do what they do faster, and when you become more experienced, you do that,” DeLucia said.  “Because we have such a youthful side, they still haven't got it yet. They're getting there, but we're still not there."

DeLucia added that Slippery Rock did a much better job on breakdowns once players were tackled.

“[Slippery Rock] was just a step ahead of us in one facet of the game, and that was a very important facet,” DeLuccia said. “When guys went into contact while running the ball, they got there faster.”

The Barons had already qualified for post season play before the match and will host a portion of the 3RRC quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday, October 20.

Despite the loss, DeLucia said he feels confident heading into the playoffs.

“I'm very confident in what these guys can do. I think we're right there with everybody else.”