Men's Rugby Hold On to Defeat Davenport on Senior Day, 26-17
Men's Rugby / 03.25.23
MARIETTA, Ga. --- After holding a strong advantage early, the Life University men's rugby team had to stave off a comeback by upset minded Davenport on the team's Senior Day to secure a 26-17 victory Saturday afternoon at Lupo Family Field.
The Running Eagles came out hot, expressing their physical dominance early. A line out to
Charlie Overton led to a maul that Life U quickly drove to the try area,
Sean Lenzsch taking the ball out of the back of the mail and diving down for a try just 4:40 into the game. The early lead moved to 7-0 after
Tabonga Ngonyamo completed the conversion. Davenport was quick to respond, missed tackles by the Running Eagles leading toa long Davenport try to tie things up at 7-7 just five minutes later. At the 16:03 mark the Running Eagles again flexed their muscles in the short meters, following up a line out for their second score. The maul stalled at the try line, but a pass out to an unguarded Gabe Michnya on the far side saw the graduate student tapping down the try for a 12-7 lead. Over the following more than ten minutes, Life U maintained pressure on Davenport as the ball stayed on the Panthers' side of the field. At 29:47 Life U broke through as
Ishma-eel Safodien hit
Julian Roberts on a pass off a ruck in the center of the field deep in Davenport territory. Roberts relied on good footwork to get in to the try area and extend the lead to 19-7 after the conversion. Davenport threatened to score at the end of the half, but the defense was able to hold them up sending the teams to the break, Life U leading 19-7
The Panthers recorded the first score of the second 40, a Running Eagles penalty setting up a penalty kick to narrow the lead to 19-10 in the 48th minute. Midway through the second half a pair of yellow cards against Life U in quick succession saw the home team playing down two men. Davenport took advantage for a score, making it a close game entered the final 10 minutes, 19-17. With less than four minutes to play and still down two men, an excellent chip kick downfield led to a penalty try for the Running Eagles, the Panthers interfering with a probable try for Jerron Pantor to see the Running Eagles create breathing room late, 26-17. Life U held off any other scoring threat by the Panthers through the final minutes to secure the win 26-17.
The Running Eagles hit the road next weekend, traveling to Penn State on April 1st for a 1 PM game.
