Indianapolis, IN. – The Wheeling University Rugby team continues their early season road trip when they headed to Indianapolis, Indiana. They battled Marian University in Big Rivers Rugby Conference (BRRC) play and fell 23-21. It came down to a last at try and confusion kick as the Cardinals suffered their second conference loss of the season.

The first half was quiet for both teams as they tried to get their offense going on the pitch. After several possessions through the first 30 minutes of play, the Cardinals would be the first to push through with 10 minutes remaining before the half. Krishna Kwenda scored his team leading fourth try of the season as he streaked up the sidelines and do e over the line to give Wheeling a 5-0 lead. Ayoub Jalli would kick through the first of three conversion tried on the day and the Cardinals were staked to a 7-0 lead. With just over five minutes remaining, Marian would convert in a conversion kick for their first points of the day that cut the lead to 7-3. That would remain the score as the teams broke for the locker room, both looking for more opportunities. 

The second half would feature a lot more scoring, with the two teams combining for 34 total points. Marian would be first on the board in the new half, pushing across a try and missing the ensuing conversion kick to make it an 8-7 Knights lead. Wheeling responded on their ensuing possession as Aaron Juma pushed across the try line for his first career try to give Wheeling the lead again at 14-8. Another Marian try pulled them to within one at 14-13 and Wheeling was looking to put something together. Navin Couch would come through, taking a pitch and sprinting down the middle of the pitch. He slid across the try line and Wheeling extended their lead to 21-13 after Jalli's third conversion kick of the day.

Marian would add another three-point kick that made it a 21-16 game and Wheeling led by five. The Cardinals were stopped on their next possession, but would look to rely on the defense for one more big stop. As the second half clock expired, the Knights would get a final play. They converted the try and tied the game at 21-21. The ensuing conversion kick would sail through the uprights and  gave Marian the 23-21 win. Krishna Kwenda, Aaron Juma, and Navin Couch scored the three tries for Wheeling, with Juma and Couch recording their first tries of the season. Ayoub Jalli had a big day kicking for the Cardinals, going 3-3 on conversion kicks on the night.

The Wheeling University Rugby team returns home for their Homecoming game on Friday, October 7th, when they take on Notre Dame College.