Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. ---- For the seventh consecutive season, the Life University men's rugby team will be featured in the D1A National Championship, after the Running Eagles battled from behind to take down Lindenwood University 27-19 Saturday night.

The Eastern Final saw two Mid-South teams squaring off for a shot at the title. The University of California used a last second try to secure its spot in the final, to await the winner of the match on Lupo Family Field. 

Lindenwood scored first on a penalty from distance to take an early 3-0 lead in the second minute of play. Duncan Van Schalkwyk responded with a penalty of his own to tie the match. Three minutes later another penalty allowed Lindenwood to regain the lead 6-3.

As the physicality of the match began to set in, Harley Wheeler scored the first try of the match from close range in the 17th minute as the senior dove over to put Life U ahead 8-3.

Both teams battled for possession the rest of the half, however just before the halftime whistle Daemon Torres continued his stellar season with a try at the 40 minute mark. Van Schalkwyk slotted the conversion between the posts to put the Running Eagles ahead 15-6 at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half Lindenwood responded with another penalty to bring the score to 15-9. The Lions scored their first try of the match in the 55th minute as a successful conversion saw Lindenwood regain the lead 16-15. Keeping up the pressure, Lindenwood again connected from distance on a penalty to lead 19-15. 

With 12 minutes remaining in the match, Brian Muntanga broke free with the offload to Torres. Torres however completed the offload to Julian Roberts who was able to outrun the Lion defense and dot down the try in the corner to put Life U ahead 20-19.

As the closing moments of the match intensified every possession, Torres picked the ball at the edge of the ruck to score his second try of the match. Van Schalkwyk connected on the conversion to give the Running Eagles a 27-19 lead with the clock running out. Life U held on to advance to its seventh consecutive D1A Rugby final with the 27-19 final score.

The Running Eagles will face Cal on May 5 in Santa Clara, California at 6 PM PST, 9 PM EST. The match will be aired on CBS Sports as well as FloRugby. Tickets can be purchased here: D1A National Championship Tickets. The writeup from FloRugby on the Semifinal match can be found here: Life Holds Off Lindenwood, Returns to Big Dance. Photos from the Semifinal can be viewed here: Life U vs Lindenwood Photo Gallery