Life University Athletics

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. --- The Life University men's rugby team started its California road trip with a loss at Life West Saturday afternoon, fading late after holding a lead through the first 50 minutes of play for the 42-29 loss.

Early in the contest, the Gladiators struck first to take a quick 7-0 lead, but in the 11th minute Life U answered with a penalty kick that Bradley Crane nudged through the uprights to narrow the deficit to 7-3. Six minutes later, Jeron Pantor performed a brilliant play, taking a 50 meter kick and chase for the solo try for a 10-7 Running Eagle lead. Life West scored again to go back on top in the 32nd minute, 14-10, before Tristan Hubsch tapped down a try after a spectacular run by Donovan Law to give Life U a 15-14 lead through the first 40 minutes.

The Running Eagles sprinted out of the halftime break, Donovan Law racing 80 meters for a try in the 41st minute to extend the advantage to 22-14. Over the next 30 minutes of play, the Gladiators rolled off 28 unanswered points, to take a commanding 42-22 lead. The Running Eagles put together one more score before the end of the contest, Orrin Bizer scoring on a quick tap underneath the posts which Pantor converted the kick on to give the final score of 42-29.

Head coach Colton Cariaga spoke on valuing the competition that Life West provided his team, "We want games that are going to test us and help us learn more about ourselves. Thanks to Life West for doing just that. We have shown glimpses of positive, Life U rugby but at this point in the season are a shell of what we can be." Cariaga finished stating, "It's up to the staff, first and foremost, but also team leadership to keep refining the talent we have and learning to play the way that suits us best."

The men's rugby team finishes its road trip Monday with a 5:45 PM EST meeting against the Saint Mary's College of California Gaels.