Quick disclaimer: the scores may not be fully accurate. We have not received any official results so all this is off memory.
Lafayette traveled to nearby Kutztown this weekend to take on some big-name competition in the Kutztown 7s Tournament. In the first game of the day, the team faced Villanova, who appeared in last year’s CRC tournament. The Leopards took an early lead with a breakaway try by Brandon Yauch, a textbook 7s try finished by Abe Satten, and another lightning-fast breakaway try from speedster Cody “Sunshine” Renfrew. They withstood a second-half comeback by Villanova, especially with a late lineout spoil by Joey Tumulty, and took the win 24-22.
In the next game, the team faced Drexel, who is playing in this year’s CRCs. The team was able to match the Dragons for the first half, but unfortunately Drexel sealed the match with two second-half tries and immense pressure on the Leopards’ offense. Lafayette ultimately was beaten 12-24.
In a battle to become top seed in their pool, Lafayette would have to face Penn, who is also competing in this year’s CRCs. The Leopards drew a yellow card at the end of the first half and soon fell behind, notably falling prey to a well-spotted kick and catch in the corner of the try zone. Down by 12 and with time running short, Matt Festa darted past the outstretched arms of a defender and raced to the tryline in the corner to make it a one-score affair. The conversion was quickly taken and made, reducing the deficit to 5 points. In the ensuing kickoff, Penn kicked to the corner, leaving the Leopards with a lineout at their own 5-meter line with no time remaining. The ball was thrown deep to Joey Tumulty and quickly passed out to the backline. Spotting a gap in the sliding defense, Brandon Yauch broke the line and ran deep into UPenn territory, eventually passing inside to Abe Satten who spotted and dished to an open Dan McLaughlin, who touched it down in the center, tying the match at the death. The conversion was cleanly slotted through to give Lafayette a miraculous comeback win, 26-24.
This win led the team to the semifinals, where they would face Wheeling Jesuit University, a D1A varsity program based in West Virginia. Lafayette took an early lead with a breakaway 60-yard try from Kevin Eherts, who stepped his opposing number and turned on the afterburners. WJU struck back with a try of their own, but Lafayette played team ball deep into opposing territory until Dan McLaughlin shot through a gap in the center of the field to give the Leopards a halftime lead of 14-5. The second half was a defensive battle, eventually leading to a brilliant team try ending with Kevin Eherts placing the ball down with authority in the corner. They would eventually hold off the Cardinals to take the match 19-12.
Unfortunately, the team could not stay past 5:00 and play in the final, so they relinquished the spot to Wheeling Jesuit and headed home. Lafayette Rugby made a major statement in its bid to take on NSCRO Nationals on May 31st and will move forward with renewed confidence that they belong in the national spotlight. The only remaining event until nationals is the annual alumni game being held this Saturday, May 3rd at Metzgar Fields, and we hope to see many of you readers there!