Life University Athletics

JONESBORO, Ark. --- The Life University men's rugby team hit the road for some D1A Rugby action today, defeating Arkansas State behind a game-winning try for the 19-15 victory on a cold Saturday afternoon.

The Red Wolves recorded the first score of the contest, taking an early 5-0 lead, but the Running Eagles answered with a penalty try within the five meter mark to take a 7-5 advantage. Before the contest entered the halftime break, Life U posted another score Francisco Sied dotting down a try, which was again converted by Bradley Crane to see the Running Eagles advantage extend to 14-5. Arkansas State posted two scores to open the second half, a try and then a penalty conversion to take a slight 15-14 lead. As the game was coming to a close, Sean Lenzsch raced his way in for a game-winning try, giving the final score of 19-15 for a Life U victory.

The player leadership was pleased with how the team toughed things out in less than ideal conditions, captain Jared Miller saying, "The boys did a great job adapting to the environment.  It was cold and muddy but we really embraced it.  We had to change the way we normally play to pull out the win and that's exactly what we did." Ishma-eel Safodien further broke things down, "We knew that being clinical in the contact area would be vital for us today given the big Ark State pack as well as the unwelcoming weather conditions. The boys really showed a lot of character today. We knew that we needed to play in their end of the field and capitalize on their errors. A couple of breakdown errors from our opposition gave us good field position which allowed us to put some points on the board and close the game." Safodien finished saying, "Credit must go to the bench that came on and pushed the tempo, as well the fans that played their part in the cold weather." 

The men's rugby team returns home for its next contest, facing Davenport Saturday, March 5 at 1:30 PM.