Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The No. 5 nationally ranked Life University men's rugby team held on in the final moments with a defensive stand to earn the 29-22 upset win over No. 2 Lindenwood this weekend.

The early moments of the game saw possession go back and forth, as a penalty resulted in a successful penalty from Ryan Rees to give Life U an early 3-0 advantage. Three minutes later a penalty from Life U gave Lindenwood a chance to tie the game, but the kick was missed wide.

After a pair of yellow cards, Lindenwood capitalized on the two-man advantage with a try and successful conversion in the 27th minute. With one player returning to the field for the Running Eagles, the Lions took advantage of the man-up opportunity for their second try to lead 14-3 with five minutes remaining in the half. Just before the halftime whistle, Rees was able to tap and go off a penalty and score the try. He was able to find the conversion as well as Lindenwood took a 14-10 lead into the half. 

Two minutes after the break, George Phelan was able to find space on a counter attack from Life U's own 22. He was able to find Matthew Mairowitz who connected back with Phelan for the try. The conversion was unsuccessful, but Life U regained the lead 15-14. Another Life U yellow saw Lindenwood take the man advantage, and converted the penalty to give the Lions a 17-15 advantage.

Life U responded in the 62nd minute after a box kick from Rees found the hands of Williams which caused a Lindenwood penalty. After a couple of phases, Brian Muntanga broke through the line underneath the posts for the try. The conversion was successful as Life U regained the 22-17 lead. 

Eight minutes later, Lindenwood answered back with a try in the corner off of a cross-field kick. The conversion was unsuccessful as the final ten minutes would decide the game tied at 22. Daemon Torres linked with Justin Johnson to provide the break in the 74th minute as Julian Roberts caught the final pass to score the try. Rees added another successful conversion to put the Running Eagles ahead 29-22.

Lindenwood had the final possession as the clock hit the 80 minute mark. Driving inside of Life U's 22, the Lions were poised to tie the match. However, the Running Eagle defense stepped up to drag a Lindenwood player out to touch to seal the 29-22 upset victory for Life U.

The men's rugby team will return to action this weekend, Saturday, February 29 at home. They will host Texas A&M University at 2 PM on Lupo Family Field. Fans can tune into the broadcast from FloRugby using the following link: FloRugby Broadcast: Life U vs Texas A&M.