Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The No. 1 nationally ranked Life University men's rugby team held on to defeat No. 4 Navy 19-18 Saturday afternoon at home in the D1A Rugby matchup.

Navy returned to the field after upsetting Arkansas State last week, as the physical matchup with the Running Eagles proved to be a battle. 

Life U took an early 5-0 lead as Ryan Rees scored the opening try off of a close range scrum in the 18th minute. Daemon Torres scored next for the Running Eagles after a maul drove to within diving range. Duncan Van Schalkwyk had the successful conversion to put Life U ahead 12-0 in the 24th minute. 

Navy converted on a penalty for its first points of the match in the 35th minute, as the Running Eagles went into the half ahead 12-3.

Three minutes into the second half, Life U looked to be in the drivers seat as Justin Johnson scored and the successful conversion put the Running Eagles ahead 19-3. Navy responded three minutes later as an interception was returned for points. The successful conversion cut the lead to nine, 19-10.

Both teams struggled to find any offensive rhythm as Navy lined up a penalty kick near mid-field in the 75th minute. The long range conversion was successful to put Navy a try away from taking the match, 19-13.

The Running Eagles had possession inside two minutes, and looked to just run out the clock. However, an errant pass was again intercepted and returned for a try with under a minute remaining in the game as Navy trailed by one, 19-18 with the conversion to come.

The difficult angle proved to be too much as the kick sailed wide right and the clock struck zero to give Life U the 19-18 victory.

The men's rugby team will return to action on Saturday, March 16, as they travel to Grand Rapids, Mich. to face Davenport University at 1 PM.