The Barons of Franciscan Rugby team trekked to the bowels of Cincinnati, Ohio to take on Xavier University for the ARU #2 play-in qualifier bid. The winner would move on to the regional play-in qualifier in Chicago next weekend to face off against #3 Wayne State. The Barons took all remaining 18 healthy players they had left, which consisted of two starters and seven returning players from last year's regional team, along with the rest of the eleven players of which were first year players, either as freshmen or first year in the sport of rugby. Not enough can be said in this scribe to state just how hard these players played in a winner take all match. The amount of inexperience and youth was on display throughout the match, but the Barons would not lay down easily. With three more starters out from last weekend, the Barons were down to their last guys on the depth chart. Despite several players having to move into new positions, such as Jeremy Lemaignen moving from flanker to inside center, John Paul Treece playing the flyhalf spot for his first time ever after a three-week absence due to an illness, to captain Sebastian Bise, as Joseph Moleski (Joe Bob) had to take back over at scrumhalf, Paul Leerkes moving over to fullback from his wing position, Paul Thibault moving to flanker from his normal center position, and to Paul Wolf starting his first match ever at wing, it would be a battle of attrition.

Led by do-it-all freshman phenom #9, Joe Bob, the Barons would quickly go up 5-0 on a sensational try by Joe Bob as he took a lineout tip ball and juked out two Xavier defenders to dot the ball down 5 minutes into the match. With leading try and points scorer Christopher Ascough out with an injury in this one, Brendan Lacey took over for kicking duties and came close to making his first conversion. With the 5-0 lead and settling in, the Barons were able to run a few phases. Joe Bob deftly controlled the pace of play with his passes to the pods and then a timely kick to send the ball into Xavier territory, to pin them back. However, Xavier was able to capitalize on a few mistakes by the young Baron team and advanced the ball back into Franciscan's side of the field. They punched it in for a score of their own, knotted up the points at 5 all, after the missed conversion. With Joe Bob controlling the kicking game and pinning Xavier back, Xavier committed a forced error from the lineout and Seth Jillson pounced on a loose ball for his first career try. Lacey pushed the kick wide and the score was 10-5 as the whistle sounded to end the first half.

Both teams were uneven throughout the first half with several dropped balls and infractions to give the ball back to one another. Franciscan was able to utilize their kicking prowess with Joe Bob getting them out of trouble and providing some breathing room. In the second half, Xavier was able to score back-to-back tries and convert one of two kicks to take a 17-10 lead. However, the last 15 minutes of the match was all Barons as they kept the pressure on and didn't wilt in the face of adversity. Keeping their composure and resiliency, they were able to score late in the second half on a try by senior Nick Patryn. Lacey had to convert the kick to tie it up, otherwise the Barons would have to score again with less than 10 minutes left. He nailed the kick at a difficult angle and tied the match up at 17 all. The Barons were again in position to end the match with some late minute action near the Xavier tryline. A turnover ended the Barons' bid to win the match as Xavier kicked the ball out of touch to send the match into overtime.

As per the NCR laws with overtime in playoffs, there would be 10 minutes sudden death with the first team to score being the victors. Ten minutes came and went with nary a score. That would set up another 10-minute sudden death situation with the first team to score winning. If no one scored again, then it would result in a penalty kick showdown. In the first overtime period, neither team threatened to score with the Barons inadvertently getting tackled in touch while advancing the ball. The whistle blew and it was on to double overtime with the Barons receiving the kick. Both teams had a chance with possession of the ball, with Joe Bob tapping a penalty and running halfway across the pitch and off loading deftly to Michael Madigan as he pursued with the support. But another call by the ref gave the ball back to Xavier. Again, the Barons were able to get the ball back but again, they turned it over and this time, led to an Xavier try to seal the win. The Barons' season ends with a disappointing loss and with it, the first time they haven't reached the regional since before Coach Adams began. The injuries that piled up over the course of the autumn season were simply too much for them to overcome, and like those multicolored leaves falling to the ground, so too was Franciscan's chances of their XVs season continuing to the next round.

Franciscan wishes Xavier University a hearty congratulations and the best of luck in their match against Wayne State. For now, the Barons will take a hiatus from playing rugby as they settle in for the long winter's hibernation and will turn their attention to the 7's season in the Spring in hopes of having another successful season. With the 2024 season in the books, Franciscan can look upon the future and see the brightness on the horizon and will work harder to ensure that the team's shortcomings are no more. Our Lady, Queen of Victory, Pray for Us!

Men's Rugby ID Camp
Franciscan Men's Rugby is excited to offer a Prospect Camp for aspiring college athletes on Sunday, November 17th. The camp is open to athletes entering 9th-12th grade this Fall. Participants will have the opportunity to receive training from the men's rugby coaching staff, as well as interact with current players. Campers will participate in a typical Franciscan training session and gain an understanding of the competitive and challenging environment of collegiate athletics. For more information click here

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