Wheeling, W. Va. - With seeding in the Big Rivers Rugby Conference (BRRC) tournament on the line, the Wheeling University Rugby team (0-1) prepares to come home for the first time in 2023. They play their 15's home opener on Saturday afternoon when they host The University of Mary Washington at Bishop Schmitt Field with kick-off at 4 PM. The Cardinals look for win #1 on the new season as they try to set themselves up in the best position possible for the tournament run.
Offense was hard to come by for the Cardinals last time out, as they took on Queens University of Charlotte in a neutral site game at Founder's Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Lions defense showed why they were #2 in the country entering the 2023 15's season as they held the Cardinals to just three first half points. Those points came off the foot of Ayoub Jalli, who put through a Penalty Kick before halftime to make it a 23-3 affair. When they came out in the second half, it was the Cardinal's defense that stepped up, keeping Queens to just six points over the final 40 minutes of play. Wheeling scored eight of their own to outscore the Lions, but it wasn't enough as they fell 29-11.
The only try of the day came from sophomore Achraf Boutzanfout, who got the ball across the try line for his first collegiate try. Boutzanfout really broke out as a kicker during last year's 7's season, using his leg to secure a number of point after attempts for the team. With another year under his belt, he looks to become a strong outside option for the Cardinals and someone they can use in short yardage situations around the try line. The Cardinals had several big runs on the day from backs Chief Chipfumbu and Aaron Juma, and they look to add those guys on to the scoring sheet as the 15's season moves on.
One of the most solid units on the team for the past several seasons has been the kicking game, and it was solid once again in the team's opener. The Cardinals went a perfect 2-2 on Penalty Kick opportunities, and missed their only conversion kick of the day. The two Penalty kicks were split between Ayoub Jalli and Joe Iye, who each picked up their first three points of the 15's season. Last 15's season, Jalli was the Cardinal's primary kicker, making just over 70% of his conversion kicks on the year. He played a big role in last year's National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) 15's Playoffs, scoring nine points in each game, and looks to once again be a big point scorer for the Cardinals. Iye took on some of the kicking duties during the 7's season and adds another option for the Cardinals to go to on Penalty Kicks and Conversions.
As they head into the final four games of the regular season, the Cardinals are looking to go on a run heading towards October. Last season, they found themselves playing for their playoff lives and they don't want to turn into that situation again in 2023. Of their remaining four games, only one comes in BRRC play, when they take on Thomas More on senior day on September 30th. IT gives the team a chance to see some of the top schools across the nation to prepare for what they will face on the National Championship run, and they look to give their home fans a show.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and the Eagles will be meeting for the third time in program history on Saturday, with Wheeling leading the all-time series with a record of 2-0. The teams have split their locations in the two matches, with Wheeling winning once on the road and picking up a forfeit win in Wheeling last season. Their last meeting came on March 23rd, 2012, when Wheeling picked up a 43-22 victory in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Cardinals are looking to keep that streak going and win their third straight against Mary Washington.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 4 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE.
