FAIRMONT, W Va. – Franciscan University rugby won 43-10 against Fairmont State University, ending their regular conference season play undefeated and going into the Three Rivers Rugby Conference playoffs as the number one seed.
Play started off slow, due to the Falcons relying on a slow style of play to help counteract their inexperienced. The Barons faced the adversity by establishing their pattern and pace of play as early as possible.
Head coach Ken DeLucia said that although Fairmont's style of play presented more of a challenge than some other 3RRC opponents, FUS was still able play good, consistent rugby. He said that the team was able to take the ball in hard offensively, clean the rucks up in a timely manner, handle the ball efficiently, and make good decisions.
The slowed down play was most apparent at the breakdowns in the tackle area. DeLucia said that the Barons met the challenge by remaining calm and using support players to arrive to the breakdown in a timely manner. The Baron's calm, fundamental play gave them a 22-5 first half lead.
The second half played out similarly to the first, with Franciscan managing to play their style of rugby eventhough Fairmont's scrappy play tried to keep Franciscan close.
Junior captain Tom Hogan scored four conversions throughout the match. Sophomore Jimmy Kueber, seniors Connor McCaffrey and Josh Wilson, freshman Jeff Baldwin, and Nick Zimmerer each put a try up on the scoreboard. Sophomore Ian Miller scored two tries and earned himself Man of the Match.
"Ian has been on a steady incline all season," DeLucia said. "I thought he had the best day out of anybody. He is always improving and he is hungry, he always wants to do more. He runs as hard as anyone on our team and that paid off today."
Other standout players included junior Brendan Linehan, sophomore Nick Reichert and senior Robert McClelland.
"Nick and Brendan were working really well today in the lineout as a very cohesive unit and that was a big reason for our success today," DeLucia said. "Bob had a great day. That guy is as steady a player as we have on this team. Week in and week out, he is one of my top guys."
The win gives the Barons a perfect 6-0 record in conference heading into post season play.
"We feel really good with where we are at right now," DeLucia said. "We look forward to taking on the number three seed. We know what they have and we are just going to refine what it is that we do."
The Barons will begin post season play at home on October 26 at 1 pm against defending conference champion Grove City College.
