University of Louisville Men’s Rugby Falls to Tennessee in Closing Minutes

Louisville vs. Tennessee Rugby

The University of Louisville hosted the University of Tennessee Men’s Rugby Club on Saturday, September 1 in the first match of the season. Tennessee snatched the win in the closing seconds with a try for a 24-20 win.

The Louisville Cardinals finished their 2017 Mid America Rugby Conference in third place and head coach Emil Walton hopes to improve upon that this season.

The match against 10th ranked Tennessee was fast paced and played at high-intensity. The Cardinals took a 10-7 lead at the break after tries by Terran Meek and Noah Meneses. During the second half, the team added a second try by winger Terran Meek along with a try by flyhalf Josh Pierce. That made the score 20-19 in the Cardinals favor.

Tennessee counted a comeback in the final minute of the match scoring a try and claiming a 24-20 victory.

Coach Walton indicated that “The boys played with passion and had some bruising runs. In a few weeks, they will be a well-oiled machine and will be primed to make some waves in the Conference.”

Walker Allen is the Louisville man of the match with a crucial try saving tackle on his rugby debut!!

Louisville will play the University of Kentucky away next week before making a run at the MAC Championship and Nationals.

Tennessee concludes their mini-tour with another match on September 2 at Notre Dame in South Bend. Notre Dame beat Michigan 47-0 on Friday night. The kickoff is at 2 pm CT.

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North American Rugby News With A USA Slant