Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference

The Susquehanna University Men’s Rugby Club has cemented its spot in the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) 15s National Championship Sweet 16, after an exciting win over Catholic University on Saturday, November 16th.

Susquehanna entered the match having won their third straight Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference Small College Championship with a 7-0 record and had risen to a national ranking of 13th out of 250 schools in the NSCRO. Catholic University represented the Potomac Rugby Conference as their #2 seed and was a 2018 National Championship Elite 8 team. Despite being Landmark Conference competitors in varsity sports, this was the first time the two schools met on the rugby field.

Catholic struck first in the early minutes of the match, but Susquehanna’s defense was able to buckle down and hold the Cardinals to just one score in the first half. In that time, Susquehanna enjoyed scoring plays from Owen Blaschak ’20, Riley Stone ’20 and Zach Bosch ’21. Matt Gorman ’20 completed two conversions and Susquehanna took a 19-7 lead into halftime.

The teams traded field position early in the second half, with Susquehanna unable to extend its lead until the 50th minute. Ben Nicolson ’22 scored a try, which was converted by Gorman, for a 26-7 lead. Catholic inched closer with a score at the 66th minute to cut the lead to 26-12. For the next 15 minutes, Catholic mounted a furious attack and were able to add another score. For the final minutes, Susquehanna maintained a 26-19 lead and looked to run out the clock. In extra time, Catholic was able to gain possession and rush a last-ditch effort to tie the game, but a defensive stop by Susquehanna resulted in a forward pass by Catholic in stoppage time and the River Hawks held on for the thrilling 26-19 victory.

 Susquehanna will now move onto the NSCRO 15s National Championship Sweet 16, which will be played December 7-8th at Raleigh Rugby Club Fields, in Raleigh, North Carolina. On Saturday December 7th at noon The River Hawks will take on #1 ranked Christendom College, of Front Royal, Virginia. The winner of that game will face the winner of Loyola University of Maryland vs. Spring Hill College on Sunday December 8th.