Life University Athletics

Marietta, GA – The Life University men's rugby team toppled Penn State 69-14 at Lupo Family Field in the D1A semifinals. The Running Eagles advance to face the Cal Golden Bears in Santa Clara, Calif. next Saturday, May 5. The championship match will also be broadcasted live on CBS Sports Network.

Duncan Van Schalkwyk scored the first try of the match two minutes in and added the successful conversion to put Life U ahead 7-0. Two minutes later, Brian Muntanga added his first try after a great line led to some well-built phases for the short-range points.

Jamie Berrisford was credited with the next try from Life U eleven minutes later. The forwards drove a line out from the 22 to put the Running Eagles ahead 17-0. Muntanga added his second try of the half as a 10m driving maul set him up to finish the try. Van Schalkwyk converted as Life U led 24-0.

Muntanga would pick up a hat-trick in the first half before the Nittany Lions were able to put any points on the board. With just over halfway through the first half, he finished off a brilliant move on another line out in Penn State's half. He added his fourth try of the first half with four minutes left on the clock, as Life U led Penn State 41-7 at the break.

Early in the second half, a clean break from Ryan Rees opened the door for Justin Johnson to convert on the try. Minutes earlier, a powerful Life U scrum allowed Maciu Koroi to pick up the easy try. Mitchell Wilson was successful on all four second half conversions. With just over a minute remaining, Penn State added its second try of the game; however, the Running Eagles would close out a 69-14 victory in the semifinal.

Tickets for the D1A Rugby National Championship can be purchased at the gate or in advance here: Life University Men's Rugby D1A Championship Tickets.