Life University Athletics

TRAVERS ISLAND, N.Y. ---- The Life University men's club rugby team opened the 2019 season on the road as they traveled to NYAC for a league match. The Running Eagles fell just short of the comeback 23-22.

Sam Cowley converted on a penalty in the first minute to put Life U ahead 3-0. NYAC responded with a pair penalties in the 15th minute to take a 6-3 lead. Sam Wagner scored the first try of the match with Cowley adding the conversion to give Life U a 10-6 lead in the 29th minute.

NYAC responded offensively with 17 unanswered points to take a commanding 23-10 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining. Cowley scored his own try and conversion in the 67th minute and Jonathan Poole cut the deficit to one in the 78th minute. However, the comeback fell just short as NYAC earned the 23-22 victory. 

"Today was not the start to the season we wanted, but there were many lessons learned and we look forward to getting back to the grind this week," head coach Blake Bradford stated. "We look forward to righting the ship this coming weekend at home against Mystic River."

Bradford followed his remarks on the match with a sentimental statement, "On behalf of the Life University rugby program I would also like to share my condolences to the family and friends of long time NYAC rugby man, John Ryan."

The men's club rugby team will return to action on Saturday, September 14 as they host Mystic River at 1 PM on Lupo Family Field in the 2019 home opener.