Life University Athletics

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--- A late game defensive stand near the try line saw the Life University men's rugby team deny Davenport, securing the 17-16 win to kick off the Fall season on the road Saturday afternoon.

Life University moves to 1-0 on the season in 15's play, while Davenport takes the hard fought loss. All of the Running Eagles scoring came in the first half, Bradley Crane getting things started with a penalty kick and a 3-0 lead just 4:10 into the game. The Panthers answered quickly with a score of their own recording a try and conversion to take a 7-3 lead just a couple minutes later. The teams fought back and forth until Karch Hoffman got around the edge, dotting down a try from close on the far side of the try area which Crane converted to give Life U back the lead 10-7. Just a minute later with 10:15 remaining in the half, Life U blocked a Davenport kick back into the try area, Orrin Bizer jumping on the ball to get the Running Eagles five more points. Crane stayed perfect on the day on kicking duties, to give the team a 17-7 advantage. With just over two minutes left in the opening frame Davenport score a penalty goal to see the halftime score be 17-10. The Panthers scored two more penalty goals over the course of the second half, seeing them draw within a single point, 17-16, with under six minutes to play. Davenport again got the ball with under two minutes to play, but despite driving to within the 10 meter line, the Running Eagles held strong taking the ball away with not time remaining, ending the game.

The men's rugby team hits the road again next weekend for its final two Fall games in California, traveling to Life West for a Saturday, November 20th 4 PM match, before turning to Saint Mary's College of California on Monday, November 22nd at 5:45 PM.