Life University Athletics

STATE UNIVERSITY, Ark. --- On a day with less-than-ideal weather conditions, the Life University men's rugby team fought through the rain and cold to come out on top in a gritty 15-3 road victory over USA Rugby D1A opponent, Arkansas State.
 
The Red Wolves provided the first score of the contest, a Running Eagle penalty setting Arkansas state up in the middle of the pitch for a penalty kick at the 10-minute mark.
 
Life U skillfully worked through its offensive system in their next possession, to put points on the board and take the lead. Relying on their ability to grind it out in the short meters, a maul after a Life U line out ended with Adam Chadwick sneaking in and dotting down a try. A missed conversion saw the score 5-3 with more than half of the first half to go.
 
After the team's moved the ball up and down the field, but neither able to push through for another score, a set piece for Life U at the Red Wolves five meter, ended with Chadwick powering in for another try. After Bradley Crane kicked through the conversion, the score stood at 12-3 with just minutes to go till the break.
 
After the intermission, Life U's defensive intensity saw the Running Eagles keep Arkansas State from being able to secure their first try of the afternoon. With the contest drawing into its final 10 minutes, a Red Wolves penalty near their own five meter led to a Crane penalty kick to secure the game's final score. The Running Eagles were able to grind out of the rest of the game with substitutions in, holding on for the 15-3 victory.

Multiple Running Eagles provided their perspective on the contest. Julian Roberts started, saying "From the jump the boys got stuck in and embraced the weather." Ishma-eel Safodien followed up, stating, "We had to focus on things such as winning the contact area and playing in the right areas of the field. We did that for the most part." Captain Jared Miller finished things, "Hats off to the boys.  The conditions led us to play a different type of game. We leaned into it and adapted. Now it's time to recover and prepare for another away trip."
 
The Running Eagles stay on the road for their next competition, facing Lindenwood University next Saturday at 3:30 PM.