MARIETTA, Ga. --- On a hot and sunny early afternoon contest, the Life University men's rugby team continued their hot start to the 2024-25 season, coming away with a dominant D1A win over Mary Washington 55-15.

The Running Eagles took no time getting things started, scoring first in the 6th minute as Trevita Mapa broke through to get things going early on. Mapa was a force in the first half, battling through to score his second score and earn an early brace in the 11th minute. Crane converted both kicks to push the lead to 14-0. 

Both teams were then in a stalemate for the next ten minutes until Bradley Crane broke through the midfield, feeding the quick hands of Logan Ballinger who fed Jordan Vassel in the corner for a stellar team-try, 19-0. 

Mary Washington was the next to score, tabbing the first penalty kick of the game, 19-3. In the 31st minute it was this time a Bradley Crane try after great ball movement in the midfield and a break from Nahuel Wingord, 26-3. MWU then scored at the end of the half to send the teams to intermission, 26-10. 

In the second half Shaun Matthysen got the scoring going after a lineout deep in the MWU end, Crane's conversion extended the Life U lead to 33-10. Five minutes later Wingord scored with a shifty solo move and dive in to zone, 38-10. After that, and with the game already out of reach, the scoring was shared as the Running Eagles continued to extend their lead with tries from James Rose, Seth Kros, and Kade Cunningham. In the end the Running Eagles ran away with the contest, 55-15.

Director of men's rugby, Dr. Blake Bradford, spoke on the team's performance, stating, "It was a good response from both our teams against Mary Washington. We had a great training week focusing back on our DNA. I was proud of the effort of our players and we played really good rugby in some key moments. We will get back to work Monday with the intent of getting 10% better."

Up next, the men's rugby team remains at home facing Belmont Abbey College next weekend in a 2 pm showdown on Lupo Family Field.