STEUBENVILLE – In a game that was dominated by two strong defenses, the Franciscan rugby team fell to visiting Wheeling Jesuit, 20-7, Sunday evening for the 13th Annual Robert D'Anniballe Rugby Ruckus.
The first half was a defensive showing as neither team converted a try in the first 40 minutes. The Cardinals were able to put the only points on the board as they converted two penalty kicks after Franciscan penalties to take a 6-0 lead.
The Baron defense held strong against Wheeling Jesuit and had a few impressive goal line stands to keep the Cardinals out of the try zone.
Franciscan came out of halftime fired up and shook off their jitters to take their first lead of the game. After getting close to the goal line, a couple passes backwards and a quick ruck on the right side of the field, Josh Leatherby was able to push the pile forward and score the first try of the game for the Barons. Sure-footed senior Ben Erste came out and kicked a perfect conversion and gave Franciscan a 7-6 lead.
The lead wouldn't hold, however, and Wheeling Jesuit took its next possession down the field for the Cardinals first try of the game and a good conversion gave the visitor's a 13-6 lead.
Wheeling Jesuit tacked on to their lead with another try and good conversion to bring the score to its final, 20-7.
The Barons did not allow the Cardinals to score over the last 18 minutes of the game as the defense showed it prowess.
For his extraordinary efforts on the field today, freshman
Matt Reese was named the Man of the Match. Reese stepped on the field in his first collegiate game as a freshman and had a phenomenal game at right wing. In his position, he is the last line of defense and did not allow any one past him and impressed the coaching staff.
The Barons have two weeks off before hosting Fairmont State University on September 17 at 1pm at Memorial Field.
