Wheeling, W. Va. - After a slow start to the 2022 15's season, the Wheeling University Rugby team (4-4, 3-2) has come storming back to earn a playoff spot. They will now host the inaugural Big Rivers Rugby Conference (BRRC) Wild Card match on Saturday when they host Adrian College at Bishop Schmitt Field with kick-off at 5 PM. It will be the second year in a row that the Cardinals have made it to postseason competition as they try to climb their way back into the national stage.

The Cardinals match last week against Davenport was postponed, but the last time the Cardinals took the pitch was against the same Adrian College team. It didn't take long for the Cardinals offense to get going, as they scored on each of their first two possessions of the night to take a 14-0 lead. The Cardinal's defense was stingy throughout the first half and didn't allow the Bulldogs to cross the try line during the first half. They added a pair of three points kicks and an incredible try by Lawula Bata helped send Wheeling into halftime up 26-12. The 26 points were the second most first half points scored by the Cardinals this season and they looked to keep it going in the second half. They added two more tries in the half and another three-point kick on their way to a 42-16 victory.

Freshman Aaron Juma has come on strong so far in 2022 since joining the Cardinals, and he had his biggest effort of the season to date. He scored three tries on the day, accounting for 15 total points on the afternoon. He uses a combination of speed and power to be able to fight through opposing defenses while also being able to scamper up the sidelines. He currently leads the Cardinals with 10 tries this season and is the only Cardinals player to get into double digit scoring. It was Juma's second multi-try game of the year, and he looks to continue to be a big part of the Cardinals offense as they lost into the NCR playoff stretch run.

The Cardinals defense also put together one of their best games of the season, allowing just 16 points in the game. They did not allow a try over the first 40 minutes of play and allowed just six points on three points kicks in that first half. In the second half, they were scored on for one try, a conversion kick, and a three-point kick to bring the Bulldogs total to 16. It was the second lowest scoring total allowed by the Cardinals this season, with their lowest coming when they allowed 15 points against Notre Dame College on Homecoming. The defense looks to continue to lead the way as the Cardinals try to get back to the national stage.

Saturday will mark the first official BRRC playoff game and will serve as a chance for the Cardinals to take that next step towards clinching an NCR 15's playoff spot. Last season, the Cardinals competed in the NCR Rhino Rugby bowl for their first time on the National Stage. This year, the Cardinals are getting their first chance to qualify for the NCR DI playoffs after playing a full DI schedule during the season. Wheeling is looking to bring a national championship back to Wheeling and that first step begins on Saturday.

The Matchup