Life University Athletics

MORAGA, Calif. --- A scoring surge to start the second half saw the Life University men's rugby team control much of the second half of play, but the home Saint Mary's College of California Gaels bounced back, kicking a penalty goal as time expired to see the Running Eagles' California trip end with a 31-29 loss Monday afternoon.

Neither team could create much in the way of separation or scores in the first half, the Gaels holding a 7-0 lead until Julian Roberts tapped down a try following Life U stealing a SMC scrum to narrow the deficit to 7-5. As time was drawing to a close in the first half of play, David Rimes recorded another Life U try, seeing the team take a 12-7 lead into the break. 10 minutes into the second half the Running Eagles took advantage of a Gaels' penalty, Chulu Mngxaso breaking through for a try which Bradley Crane converted to extend the lead to 19-7. Just six minutes later in the 56th minute, Orrin Bizer broke through the line to to see the Running Eagles take a commanding 26-7 lead after Crane's conversion. Two straight SMC scores over the next 10 minutes of play, narrowed the advantage to a single score at 26-21, but a Crane penalty kick in the 75th minute extended the lead back to two scores, 29-21. The Gael's got both of the scores they needed over the final five minutes, scoring a try just a minute after Crane's penalty goal to cut the lead to one, and then kicking a penalty kick as time drew to a close in the 80th minute to see Life U lose 31-29.

Today's game ends the Fall season, the men's rugby team returning to action in the Spring for the bulk of the 15's and 7's season.