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WHEELING, WV – The Wheeling University men’s rugby team opened the 2024 15-man season last week against Davenport. The Week 1 National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Top 20 Coaches Poll was released on Wednesday, with the Cardinals ranked in the top 5. Men’s rugby sits at No. 4 in the coaches poll and is nearing the heart of the Big Rivers Rugby Conference (BRRC) schedule.
The Cardinals opened the season with a 43-42 loss to Davenport. The game was a close one, with the Cardinals' offense taking control early on. The Cardinals scored 23 straight points in the first period and led 23-0 just before halftime. Davenport, however, fought back and scored 14 points before halftime to give Wheeling a 23-14 lead. After halftime, Wheeling scored another try, and Davenport came back on the scene, this time scoring 11 straight points to edge the Cardinals 33-30. The two teams traded tries on the next three attempts, but a missed penalty kick was enough to turn the tide. Davenport won the game 43-42 with a penalty kick on their final attempt.
Shadreck Mandaza led the way for the Cardinals, scoring 22 of the team's 42 points on the day. Not only did Mandaza score his first try of the 15-a-side season, he also performed flawlessly as the team's primary kicker, converting all four conversion kicks and three penalty kicks he attempted on the day. Mandaza was a star player for the Cardinals during the sevens season and has continued to excel in the autumn season. The Cardinals were also well-rounded on offense, with five players each scoring five different tries. Aaron Juma, Ayub Jari, Marvel Benza and Laura Bata all entered the try zone for the first time in the 15-a-side season.
Leading the way in this week's Top 20 Coaches Poll is Brown, who was No. 2 last season. Queen's is No. 2 and Kutztown rounds out the top three. Other rankings in the NCR Men's DI Rugby Coaches Poll are as follows:
Brown takes first place? pic.twitter.com/3JN4XRTarT
— National College Rugby (@ncrrugby) September 24, 2024
The Wheeling University rugby team will be back in action on Friday, September 27th, taking on Rio Grande at 4pm.
