Late in the game, that possibility would be put in Jeopardy as the Red Storm had the ball just five meters away from the try line. The Cardinals defense would be put to the test as they had to hold Rio Grande several different times to keep their slim four point lead. The Cardinals defense responded, getting stops on several plays in a row, including having a couple of penalties called against them. However, they stood tall and in the game's final seconds, the ball got stuck under a pile and was determined unplayable ending the game. The win gave the Cardinals the #1 seed in the BRRC East Division as they head to Indianapolis, next week for the first round of action. The offense was able to build a lead early and the defense brought it home.
 

It was Rio Grande that struck first in the game, getting on the board in the ninth minute. They kicked through a Penalty Kick and took a 3-0 lead. However, on their ensuing possession, the Cardinals would take that lead right back as Ayoub Jalli made his way across the try line to give the Cardinals a 5-3 lead. However, he would miss the ensuing conversion kick, so the Cardinals were locked into a two-point lead. The Red Storm had the same playoff aspirations in mind as they added two more tries before the half was out, and Wheeling went into the locker room trailing 13-5. It was the third time that the Cardinals entered halftime trailing, and they had lost each of the first two times that happened.
 

The Cardinals looked to flip the script this time out and in the 43rd minute they did just that getting back on the board. Alex Nyamunda scored his first collegiate try to get Wheeling back on the board, but another missed conversion kick kept Rio Grande in the lead at 13-10. Nine minutes later, the Cardinals were back on the board as they spread the ball around with Larry Old getting on the board for his first try of the 15's season and Wheeling took their first lead of the night at 15-13. Rio Grande took the lead back with a try in the 60th minute as they went ahead 18-15. It would remain that way until four minutes remaining when Clarouly Meca crossed the try line and a Chief Chipfimbu added a conversion kick brought the game to a 22-18 score before the big Cardinal defensive stand.
 

The Cardinals scored four tries on the night by four different players as they spread the ball around. Clarouly Meca, Larry Old, Ayoub Jalli, and Alex Nyamunda all getting on the scoring sheet. The lone conversion kick was put through by Chief Chipfimbu as he put up his lone point of the afternoon.
 

The Wheeling University Rugby team now heads to the BRRC Tournament for first round action on Saturday, October 14th, as they wait for their first round opponent.