Wheeling, W. Va. - In 2022, the Wheeling University Rugby team (6-4, 3-2) embarked on a new journey when they went to a full National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Division I schedule for the first time in program history. It came with its share of ups and downs, but the Cardinals have persevered and are heading into their first NCR 15's DI Quarterfinal matchup in program history. They will make the trip to Providence, Rhode Island to face the tournament's number one seed Brown University with kick-off scheduled for 2 PM.

The Cardinals played their first-ever NCR DI Playoff game last week when they took on Belmont Abbey in their first-round matchup. It was a close contest throughout, with both defenses standing strong for the first 12 minutes. A Belmont Abbey three-point kick got the scoring started in the 12th minute, however, a chance to add on failed for the Knights in the 22nd minute swinging the momentum. Wheeling took advantage, driving the ball down to the one-yard line before pushing across their first try of the night to make it 7-3. The Cardinals added one more try before the half was out and led 14-6 as the teams broke for the locker room. It was a lead that the Cardinals would never give back, and another try at the end of the second half was enough to give Wheeling the 19-13 win.

The Cardinals offense has been a strong point for the team throughout the season, but it is the defense that has been shining through since the team made the playoffs. In their first two playoff games in the Big Rivers Rugby Conference (BRRC) Wild card game and the NCR First Round, the Cardinals allowed just 35 points to the opposition. The Cardinals have allowed one try or less in every half of playoff rugby this season, allowing the offense time to get going and push across the try line. Brown enters this Quarterfinal matchup having won 10 straight matches, so that Cardinal's defense will be looking to shut down a high-powered Bears offense.

On the offensive end, the Cardinals saw a few of their offensive regulars get across the try line, while they also had a first to round out the night. The offense got started in a big way, with Clarouly Meca scoring his first career try. The Cardinals pushed the ball to the one-yard line on several plays, before Meca was able to pound his way across the try line. Aaron Juma and Krishna Kwenda continued their successful seasons on the pitch, scoring their 12th and eighth tries, respectively. The Cardinal's top two scorers this season are going to be crucial if the Cardinals are going to be able to knock off the #1 seed in this year's NCR D1 Tournament.

The NCR D1 15's National Playoffs kicks into high gear this week on the road to a National Championship. The Cardinals take on #1 seeded Brown in their quarterfinal matchup for the chance to take on the winner between #6 St. Bonaventura and #3 Indiana. On the other side of the bracket #2 AIC faces off against #7 Queens and #4 Thomas More takes on #5 Fairfield. The semifinals will be held in two weeks on December 2nd in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the Championships are set for Houston, Texas on Saturday, December 10th. The Cardinals are chasing down a National Championship title and they look to start the runoff strong.

The Matchup