New Orleans, LA. – On Saturday, the Wheeling Rugby team kicked off their run at the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) CRC 7's on Saturday. They opened Premier Cup play taking on #6 seeded Harvard and grinded out a 35-7 victory. The Cardinals went 4-1 at last year's event, and started off their run this season with a big win that sets them up with a matchup with the #2 seed.

After waiting all day, the Wheeling offense picked up right where it left off at the Allegheny Rugby Union Championship. They passed the ball around efficiently throughout the day, as five different Cardinals got in on the scoring. Michael Muleya kicked things off with the first try of the day followed by Jose Oltra 's first try of the day. Chief Chipfumbu rounded out the first half scoring with a try and Wheeling was up 21-0 at halftime. Joseph Iye Stanley Giani rounded out Wheeling's scoring effort, with each player registering a try.  Ayoub Jalli made three kicks for the Cardinals whole Joseph Iye made the final two kicks to complete the scoring day for the Cardinals.

Wheeling now moves on in the Premier Cup Standings as they face the #2 seed St. Bonaventura. It will be the second meeting between the two teams this season as they met earlier in the year at the Irish 7's. In that game, St. Bonaventura picked up a 22-7 win and knocked off Wheeling for the first time in the tournament. Wheeling is looking to even the series up and continue to advance in the tournament. The winner of this match will go on to face the winner of Notre Dame and Lindenwood in the Quarterfinals round of the Premier bracket.

Wheeling's second round CRC 7's match is scheduled for 11:04 AM against #2 St. Bonaventura.