Butler, Pa. - In the end, it was just one too many for the Barons rugby team. Too many injuries, too many new guys playing, too many different starting lineups, take your pick and it all came to a head in the ARU Championship match against nationally ranked #2 Slippery Rock. Losing 8 starting players over the past three weeks would hinder any team and it proved to be the case for the Barons to overcome against a tough squad like Slippery Rock. While using injuries as an excuse for a loss is frowned upon as a way to place blame on why a team loses, for D3 teams like Franciscan, Slippery Rock, John Carroll and Robert Morris, it is hard to replace even a few starting caliber players and expect winning results, all the while asking new players to be able to step in and play as well or better than their counterparts. It helps when a team can have 12-15 players all playing together in many matches to build rapport between one another and learn each other's tendencies during matches. Having a team jell over the course of the season builds that team chemistry that is often found from good teams in the playoffs.

The youth of the Barons also came into play as Slippery Rock's experience and utilization of the kicking game helped to put the Barons on the back foot. The Rock's ability to play steady, physical defense and create turnovers was on display in this one as well. The Barons received the opening kick and promptly turned it over after a few phases which enabled Slippery Rock to cash in for a quick 7-0 lead, after they converted the point after. The Barons were able to answer back with Peter Rooney, starting at flanker for the first time, punching it in for five and Christopher Ascough knocking it through the posts to tie up the match at 7-7. Slippery Rock answered back with two more tries of their own, and with conversion of the kicks on both, as they upped their lead to 21-7. Not to be deterred, the Barons fought back and were able to score to end the first half. Matt Patryn touched it down and Ascough again converted the long angle kick to bring the lead closer to 21-14.

At the start of the second half, the Barons kicked off to the Rock. They were able to force a turnover and had a chance to score free points with a penalty kick but decided to go for a try and tie it up. It turned out to be the wrong decision as the Rock were able to force a turnover and then took off on a long run for a try and a 28-14 lead. This turned the momentum that the Barons had and seemed to deflate them as Slippery Rock was able to score another try to bump their lead to 35-14. The Barons were able to gain some momentum in the last 15 minutes of the match and scored a try to bring them closer at 35-21. They had several more chances at the end of the match, but the Rock's defense kept them out of the try zone twice. The final whistle blew, and the young Barons squad would have to wait another year for a chance at the elusive ARU championship.

With the loss, the Barons will now travel to Cincinnati to face off against Xavier University on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. The winner will advance to play in yet another play-in qualifier against #3 Wayne State in Chicago on November 16th to determine who would head to St. Louis for the Midwest regional. Slippery Rock is a very tough defensive team with an excellent backline, and worthy of the #2 ranking. The Barons can be proud of how they played but they know they need to work on a few things to be at the level they need to be successful at. Franciscan will look to get back on track as they travel to face Xavier in an elimination match.

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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