Life University Athletics

WEST POINT, N.Y. --- The Life University men's rugby team's USA Rugby D1A tournament push came to a close in the quarterfinals at top-seeded Army today, ending the 15's season with a 39-18 loss.

Life U struck first, putting themselves on the board early after Dario Porta Sanchez kicked an excellent ball that Donovan Law was able to corral and touch down for a try and 7-0 lead. Army put together a pair of scores before Bradley Crane got the Running Eagles on the board again late in the half off a long range penalty kick to pull the score to 12-10. The Black Knights found the try area again before the first 40 minutes came to a close to see Life U enter the break down 19-10.

Both teams fought back and forth through the second half until midway through the period Crane added another long range penalty to see the score at 19-13. Army ran off 13 points unanswered before Life U posted their final score of the game, Julian Roberts wrapping around the ruck and finding Cam Veloz in space who race into the try area in the 74th minute. The Black Knights registered one more score before the game ended to see the game end with a final of 39-18.

Head coach Colton Cariaga broke down how the game went, beginning, "We executed our plan quite well in the 1st half. We put ourselves in great position to capitalize, especially early, and we'll be kicking ourselves for not going into half time with the lead. We knew we had to keep our discipline between the 10s but we just couldn't seem to get that part right and paid for it. That continued in the 2nd half." He continued being proud of the reserves and congratulating the opposition for a well played game, "Our reserves, in particular seniors Cam Veloz and Ty Carlson, gave it their best to get us back in striking distance. Hats off to a strong, well-coached army side. They adapted well and deserved the win."

Cariaga finished, saying, "This is never the way you want to end a season, but our whole program can draw many lessons from this year. There's a whole lot we can store away that will make us a much better team in the future. We will take a little time off but will return in earnest very, very soon."

The loss ends the 15's season for Life U, so they will now turn to 7's play, taking part in the USA Rugby 7's Collegiate Championship in Kennesaw, Ga. from May 14-15.