STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – Using powerful forward play and exceptional leadership from the captains, the Franciscan University Rugby team celebrated Homecoming Weekend this year with a 50-15 victory over Fairmont State University. 

"It was definitely a forwards-orientated game," said rugby assistant coach Chris Courtnell. "Fairmont State has always had a big, physical team and we went into this game knowing it was going to be a grueling match. Our forwards stepped it up and matched their big hits with even bigger hits of our own. It took the wind out of their sails." 

Energy was buzzing throughout the entire Baron team from the kickoff to the final horn and it came from the team's leaders and from Saturday's Man of the Match, Christopherson Cortes.

"Cortes with his energy and his big tackles, running the ball and getting around the field – his energy was great to watch," Courtnell said. "It was the energy from him and the captains that got everyone fired up. Everyone was playing for everyone else, and that is what Franciscan rugby has always been about."

Cortes had two tries on the day for the Baron Ruggers. Also tallying two scores were Adam Smyth and Eric Paskie. Rounding out the offense for FUS was James Kueber and Anthony Tatasciore each with one try. 

Courtnell specifically mentioned the captains and how important their leadership and charisma was to a successful day on the pitch.

"The captains really stepped up and led the team from the front," Courtnell said. "Adam Smyth, Pat McClelland, and John Rall really kept the guys fired up."

There is an old rugby saying, according to Courtnell, which is: "the forwards decide who wins the game and the backs decide by how much." He said this was true in today's blowout win, as both forwards and backs showed focus and determination.

"We dominated the scrums, we won our lineouts, when the ball was on the ground we rucked pretty efficiently, and that gave our backs plenty of space to do what they do," Courtnell said.

 Every member of the team that stepped foot on the pitch today was on the same page for Franciscan and they all did their part in the victory.

"That's what it's all about," Courtnell said, "when the rookies come in and keep the ball rolling. [After today] we don't have rookies anymore."

The Baron Ruggers now sit at 3-1 on the season and play their final regular season game of the fall on Saturday, Oct. 13, when they travel to Slippery Rock