PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Franciscan Barons won their eighth straight game completing their season with a 100% winning record and beating the Robert Morris University Eagles 48-7. 

Head Coach Chris Courtnell said he is proud of his team for finishing the regular season with a perfect record.

"We dominated in the first half.  Real solid play across the board," Courtnel said.  "Breakout from the scrums was super tough, they blocked gaps and gained yards, ball play was great: All around great game." 

By the end of first half, Franciscan not only held a 34-0 lead but had also mentally exhausted the Eagles.  Courtnell said the Eagles were not an easy opponent to underestimate.

"You can never expect, can never guess in rugby," Courtnell said.  "It's an interesting sport in that the score does not often reflect the skill of the team.  We never like to take anyone lightly." 

While he emphasized how well his team worked as whole, Courtnell also commented on several star players. Senior center  and Man of the Match Isaac Archibeque and junior forward Jimmy Kueber scored two tries each.  Sophomore back Jeff Baldwin scored three, putting Franciscan's final score at 47-7.

"Isaac is a brick wall at defense," Courtnell said of the senior. "Jeff also played a solid game both this week and last week. He has really come into his own." 

Looking ahead toward the beginning of the conference playoffs, Courtnell emphasized how important winning the game was for the men on his team. Because of the win, Franciscan will play their next game, the 3 Rivers Rugby Conference semi-finals , on their home field.

"It means everything," Courtnell said.  "It means we get to play on our home field in front of our friends, family, peers, brothers and sisters, for at least one more match."  

That match will take place against Fairmont University on Saturday, October 25 at 1 pm.