Grove City, Pa. - The Barons Rugby team journeyed to Grove City, PA to meet what has become an annual opponent in the playoffs, Xavier University. With the sudden change from the warm weather temperatures throughout the week, Saturday brought about a wintry chill. The match was moved to a turf field due to unplayable field conditions which made for a slick ball and slippery surface.

Things started off with a bang as John Thibault took an off load from Aidan Gibbons and beat two defenders to the outside and took off for a 50 meter run only to be tackled on a nice play by the last man, the fullback. This would turn out to be the closest anyone would score for the rest of the first half. Xavier's big forwards took turns pounding the smaller Baron forwards but the gents of green and gold would not budge much. Xavier would often kick as their preferred mode of gaining field position and it worked. The Baron back 3 players of Gibbons, Brendan Lacey, and Noah Schlueter did well enough to catch the high kicks and advance for meters. They each had a misplay but that's to be expected with a wet ball and a wind coming in at them but they kept their composure throughout the match. With a few inconsistent calls going against them, they had their back against it when Xavier was able to advance the ball on yet another penalty kick. This was about the only way they were able to advance the ball on this day as the Baron backline and forwards kept Xavier from making any gains on the ground. This was the way it went in the back and forth affair for the rest of the first half as the score was deadlocked at 0-0. Xavier did great at limiting the Barons forward progress and winning a few scrums and their own lineouts. They just couldn't capitalize on their hard work.

After the half, with the Barons down a player due to a yellow card on an intentional knock by nick Patryn, the Barons received the kick and an untimely knock on gave the ball back to Xavier. On the ensuing play, Anthony Chipps made a tackle and sustained a dislocated thumb, putting him out for the remaining of the match. Luke Divver entered into the match for him. Schlueter made a nice interception and Prezzia box kicked out of it and Thibault chased it down and almost punched it in but Xavier was able to corner Thibault. After a few more back and forth with the ball by both teams, the play of the match was on the horizon. The Barons won a scrum in their own 22 and Prezzia hit Thibault on a miss pass and Thibault decided to take it in his own hands and slipped two attempted tackles and sprinted down the sidelines and made a few dazzling moves to get by 5 different defenders as he dotted down the match's first and as it would turn out, only try. Vincent Prezzia's successful conversion gave them a 7-0 lead. The match continued for the next 30 minutes with the Barons having a few more chances to up their lead but they couldn't quite punch it in. The defense of the Barons was the highlight of the day as they continue to stymie Xavier's attempts at powering over them. With the final whistle sounded, the Barons' season continues as they celebrated a hard-fought victory against an Xavier team that played only DII teams throughout the fall and won all but one.

While there can only be one Golden Man of the Match award, which was well earned by John Paul Leatherby for his command of the pod and his hard and powerful runs as well as stifling defense, the team defense was the stars of the day with their tackling and work rate to close up space. Matt Orsay had several strong runs and good tackles and supporting his mates. Ethan Peterson delivered some strong tackles in the second half. Chipps had a few hard runs and distributed the ball well. Luke Divver came in and instantly made a few hard tackles. Tony Petitte was steady with his runs and tackles. Nick Patryn had a few solid runs and was instrumental with his timely tackles. Tim Rankin had a great game as well with his consistent running and tackling. Clay Boyle came back from an injury and played a smart game with his rucking and running. Gibbons came back after being out all year and did well with his passing and controlling the pods. Steve Kilmer was a quiet but constant presence with the ball and on defense. Lacey and Schlueter had their mettle tested and were involved quite a bit with tackling and catching kicks. Mike "Carl" Mills continues with his rookie campaign as a hard-nosed runner and defensive stands. John Thibault scored the game's only try but his constant defensive pressure and willingness to do the dirty work continues to shine as he leads the team along with Vince Prezzia and his never-ending ability to be everywhere at once. They will need a repeat of their defense against the #2 team in the country for small colleges Wayne State, who they will face next Saturday in the Midwest Regionals of the Sweet 16 bracket. A win there will see them in the Elite 8 on Sunday for a chance to make it to the Final 4 in December. Coach Adams and Coach Smith were extremely proud for the way the Barons stepped up with their defense and never backed down when they were tired and hurt. Captain Vincent Prezzia noted that the intensity they showed throughout the game was a positive to see especially in the last three minutes of the match when Xavier was frantically trying to score the equalizer and the Baron defense never gave in to the pressure.

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