Rugby 9/20/2017 2:04:00 PM Chris Myers

Cardinals Put on Brave Display against Black Knights

WEST POINT, N.Y. – In a surprise performance by only their opponents and supporters, the Cardinals put on a valiant Saturday display on the pitch. Wheeling Jesuit played tough before No. 9 Army pulled away in the second half, 57-20, in the season opener.

WJU went toe-to-to with nationally-ranked Army from the opening kick. In the 23^rd minute of action, the Cardinals forward pack opened out wide for Killian Gause to score a try and they pulled to within 19-15. The Black Knights converted two tries in the final opening half's minutes and slowly pulled away in the second stanza.

"The boys were phenomenal! We surprised the home team with our ability to compete with them from the starting whistle. We have made a statement to all the naysayers and to this league we are not a dying team or a pushover so it's onwards and upwards now," said WJU head coach Jake Fautley after his first game directing the team.

After WJU made a disappointing show in Wheeling a year ago in a 55-0 home loss with a supposed much stronger squad, Fautley's men more than held their own on Army's home field.

"After 50 minutes, we were only trailing 33-20. Army's superior fitness kicked in from that point, and we started to take a few knocks and few injuries. This was a stern, fierce first test that has laid the foundation for the rest of the season," noted Fautley.

Army put an early try on the scoreboard after three minutes. George Roscoe responded with a penalty kick in the sixth minute to cut it to 5-3. The Cardinals' Daniel Carter answered a second home try with his team's first one in the 14^th minute of play.

As WJU knew it needed a strong second half, Matthew Woisnet drove himself over the try line in the 49^th minute for a 33-20 score. Army asserted itself in the final minutes for what would be the final 24 points and 57-20 final.

WJU has two weeks off to prepare for its second foe. The Cardinals stay on the road for a Sept. 30 match at the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure in a 1 p.m. start.

-GoCards-

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Players Mentioned

Killian Gause: W; 6' 2"; Senior

George Roscoe: FB/W; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Killian Gause
: 6' 2"; Senior
: W

George Roscoe
: Sophomore
: FB/W