Steubenville, Ohio - The Franciscan Rugby team hosted 2021 Small College National Champions Christendom College on Saturday April 23^rd for a chance to win the Frassati Shield. The Frassati Shield was an event created several years ago with Ave Maria also participating as the three Catholic schools played a round robin style tournament.  The event was "tabled" due to the onset of COVID-19 and both teams looked to restart this tradition.  The weather was finally decent for a change, with 80-degree temperature and blue skies.  Christendom traveled with a full squad of 25 as well as a few alumni as their alumni would be playing Franciscan's alumni in the curtain raiser match. The alumni match was a great one as both teams came out looking like they have been playing rugby for years. The FUS alumni did well but with low numbers and warm weather sapping their strength, they were edged out 24-22 by Christendom's alumni, with Christendom winning on a last-minute try.  

Next came the men's teams. Franciscan had just 16 players, enough to play the 15s match but were undeterred and got things started with a try in the first 5 minutes when Tom Tobelmann powered in from 5 meters out on a penalty to give them the 7-0 lead after Aidan Gibbons converted the kick after.  Franciscan and Christendom both displayed several phases before turnovers bit them but Christendom was able to knot up the score with a try of their own.  With the score 7-7, Franciscan scored again on a try by Luke Hall, who dove in to dot it down and give Franciscan a 12-7 lead.  The lead would not last long as Christendom scored from 22 meters out to tie it up at 12 all at the half after the missed conversion.  An injury required a sub and there was no more players to go to the bench as the warm weather started to impact both teams.  In the second half, Franciscan continued to display dignity and passion as they tried to gain the lead once again.  It was to no avail as Christendom punched in a try and with the missed conversion had the lead at 17-12.  Yet another Franciscan injury left the team short of a player as they played the rest of the match with 14 players.  Despite being short-handed, the boys in green and gold remained resilient and fought till the end.  Christendom was able to tack on two more scores and the match ended with the champs winning 29-12.  It was a gritty effort by the Barons ruggers and they were able to go toe-to-toe with the best team in small colleges.  Senior Luke Hall was named the Golden Man of the Match for his hard-nosed running and gritty performance.  Even though it was a lost, it was a great test for Franciscan as they look towards a successful fall season.   Franciscan thanks Christendom for making the trip and providing great matches by both their alumni and men's teams.  We hope to see them again in the future.
 
Up Next 
The Barons will turn their attention to the ARU 7's championship for a chance to win the tournament and earn the automatic qualifier that comes with it for a trip to New Orleans for the National 7's tournament on Memorial Day weekend. Several at large bids are still up for grabs so a good outing could result in an invitation. The Barons earned the #3 seed in the ARU tournament and will face the winner of Susquehanna and Oberlin match at 11:40.  The tournament will be held at Clarion University.  

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