Wheeling, W. Va. – For the first time since Head Coach Mike Geibel took over the program in 2020, the Wheeling University Rugby team (0-0) features a veteran group of talent with a good spread of classes. After making it to the National Stage twice a season ago, these returners are back and ready to advance even farther in 2023. They kick off their run in 15's season on Saturday, when they take on Queens University of Charlotte in a neutral site match at Founder's Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A year ago, the Cardinals played their first full season as a Division I program in National Collegiate Rugby and had their share of ups and downs. The Cardinals started the year 2-4 overall and 1-1 in Big Rivers Rugby Conference (BRRC) play and had their playoff hopes in jeopardy. However, they won their final two regular season games, earning them a spot in the first BRRC Wild Card match. It was the first home postseason event for the Rugby team, and they took down Adrian 31-22 to earn their first spot in the NCR DI 15's National Playoffs. They would host their first-round matchup against Belmont Abbey and played another tight contest. In the end, the Cardinals advanced to the Quarterfinal round with a 19-13 win, that marked the first 15's win on the national stage. Unfortunately, the Cardinal's run would end there as they were kicked out by #1 Brown in a 27-9 loss.
As they enter the 2023 15's season, the Cardinals return many of their key pieces from a season ago that helped them get to the national stage. Leading the way will be sophomore Aaron Juma, who was the team's leading scorer a season ago with 14 tries and 70 total points. Juma was a candidate for the Major League Rugby (MLR) draft this season and is back with the Cardinals to try and make another run for next season's draft. He brings a combination of speed and power that helps the Cardinals whenever he has the ball in his hands. Returning to join him on the offensive side of the ball will be a pair of big play makers in Lawula Bata and Chief Chipfumbu. Bata finished right behind Juma in scoring last season, putting across eight tries in 15's and is a speedy player on the outside. Chipfumbu assisted on several tries last season and won the NCR's DI All-American award as a freshman in 2021.
The Cardinals will also get a big boost in the kicking game with Ayoub Jalli returning to handle the duties for 15's season. He missed the entire 7's season but was the Cardinal's top kicker on penalty kicks and conversion kicks during 15's season. He came through especially big during the playoff run as he hit three big conversion kicks that got the Cardinal's going. Achraf Boutzanfout handled the majority of the kicking duties during the 7's season and returns as a solid back-up option for the Cardinals. Defensively, the Cardinals have big bodies like Bailey Brunner, Josh Blankenship, and Michael Muleya who will look to slow down the opposing offense.
As they enter the 2023 season, the Cardinals will be playing a different type of schedule than they have had in year's past. Every team in the BRRC will make the tournament this season, with regular season games being played to determine seeding. Of their four regular season contests, only one will be against a BRRC opponent when they host Thomas More on September 30th at 3 PM. The first four games will be a tune-up for the team and a chance to grab the best possible seed for the playoffs. The BRRC playoffs then kick-off October 14th in Indianapolis, Indiana with the Cardinals looking to get back to the 15's National playoffs.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Lions are meeting for the second time in program history, with Queens leading the all-time series with a 1-0 record. Their first-ever meeting came a season ago, when Wheeling made the trip to Queens University of Charlotte to open the 2022 season. The Lions enter this match as the #2 team in the country and fell in last year's NCR 15's National Championship to Brown. This will be their first trip up north to face the Cardinals as Wheeling looks to avenge last season's loss.
In that match, the Cardinals put together a come from behind effort after being down 17-0, but it wasn't enough as they fell 22-19. Three different Cardinals scored tries in the game, with Krishna Kwenda, Rua Karimazondo, and former Cardinal Simo Haddar all carrying the ball across the try line. Ayoub Jalli handled the kicking duties in the game, finishing 2-3 on conversion kicks on the afternoon.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's neutral site game is scheduled for 11 AM at Founder's Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can watch the contest live by clicking HERE.
