Marietta, Ga. ---  In a hard-fought battle in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the Life University Running Eagles overcame a late surge by Saint Mary's to secure a 24-22 victory in the highly anticipated matchup. The Running Eagles' relentless first half effort proved to be just enough to fend off the Gaels' second-half comeback.

Life U set the tone early, opting for an aggressive approach that caught Saint Mary's off guard. Power running and control over possession kept the Gaels scrambling. The first points came as welcomed site from a clever fake maul and weakside play that allowed hooker Adam Chadwick to score in his first game back from injury this season. Chadwick then followed it up moments later with another try, capitalizing on a series of phases near the try line. 

The momentum continued as wing James Rose crossed the line after a brilliant surge into the Saint Mary's 22, followed by quick hands from the backs. Center Kade Cunningham then cut through the defense for another try, with Crane converting two of the four first-half scores. Life entered halftime with a commanding 24-0 lead, dominating possession and winning every restart.

Saint Mary's found their footing in the second half, maintaining possession and testing Life's defense. Siale Ofa's try put the Gaels on the board, sparking a spirited comeback. Red zone execution issues slowed their progress, but Dom Besag and John Wilson combined for a crucial try to make it 24-17. As the clock wound down, Sione Ofa scored after sustained pressure, bringing the score to 24-22.

In the final moments, Saint Mary's had a chance to clinch the win with a long-range penalty attempt in the frigid weather, but the effort fell short. 
Director of Men's Rugby, Blake Bradford, shared his thoughts, stating, "We knew playing a team like St. Mary's was going to be a massive challenge and we were going to have to be at our best. I was really impressed with how the whole squad bought into our prep for the game and how the guys stuck to the plan in the first half. We managed to build a good lead into halftime, but we weren't accurate enough in the second half and found ourselves defending for most of the second half. I am very proud of the grit our men showed to hang on and grind out the win. We are looking forward to the winter break to recharge before we head into a very competitive Spring schedule."
The Running Eagles will now take a break for the holidays before traveling for a Rugby East contest in mid-February.