Last time out, the Cardinals battled for the Big Rivers Rugby Conference (BRRC) Championship as they traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio. They took on Thomas More in a rematch of a close regular season matchup, and this game was as advertised. The Cardinals got out to an early lead, scoring in the first few minutes of the game and the back and forth began. Wheeling was staked to a lead at halftime, but like they did in the regular season meeting, Thomas More would battle back into the game. The Saints would end up taking a late lead in the final minute and the Cardinals were left with a choice. Attempt the penalty kick to tie the game or go for the win. The team came together and elected to go for the win, and unfortunately fell short, dropping the contest 44-41.
 

It was a breakout game for Panashe Mugorogodi, who got the Cardinals started strong. He scored two tries in the early portion of the game to get the Cardinals out to a lead. It was his first career multi-try game, bringing his season total to three tries on the season. As the Cardinals head into their National Tournament run, they will be looking for strong depth pieces to supplement the team's leaders on the field. Mugorogodi got on the board for the first time since the game against Thomas More last time out, scoring all three tries against the team. He looks to be a strong depth piece for the Cardinals as they chase down the first 15's National Championship in program history, after winning the 7's National Championship during the spring.
 

Leading the Cardinals throughout the season has been Alex Nyamunda, leading the team with seven tries through the first five games of the season. Nyamunda has scored multiple tries three times this season, with his season-best effort coming in a three-try effort against The University of Rio Grande on their only other home game of the season. Nyamunda looks to continue his strong showing and lead the Cardinals through the National Playoffs. In the kicking game, the Cardinals will be looking to Shadreck Mandaza to continue his strong season. He is 18-18 on conversion kicks on the season and 3-3 in penalty kicks to total 63 points on the season. Mandaza has been a strong kicker for the Cardinals since joining the team in the spring and looks to continue picking up extra points for his team.
 

The National Tournament run begins on Sunday, with the WildCard round kicking things off. The Cardinals had a bye in this wild card round last season, but would host Belmont Abbey in the 2022 National Tournament. The Cardinals would win that game in a close 19-12 advantage that sent them to the NCR Quarterfinals. During 15's season, the Cardinals have made it to the NCR Quarterfinal round in each of the last two seasons and is looking to make it past that round for the first time in program history. If the Cardinals advance past the Wild Card round, they will move on to the Quarterfinals next week. They are four games away from bringing home a National Championship as they begin their National Tournament run.
 

The Matchup
 

The Cardinals and Bears are meeting for the 10th time in program history on Sunday, with Kutztown leading the all-time series at 4-5. It will be the sixth time the teams have met in 15's play, with Kutztown also leading that all-time series at 1-4. It will be the first time that the two teams have met in 15's Play since the 2018 season, with each of the last three meetings between the two teams coming in 7's Play.
 

The last meeting between the two teams was in 7's play, in the 2024 CRC National 7's National Championship match, where the Cardinals beat Kutztown 29-12. Shadreck Mandaza led the way for the Cardinals, scoring three tries and hitting three of the four conversion kicks he attempted, finishing with 21 points Aaron Juma added the final try of the day, while Michael Muleya and former Cardinal Chief Chipfumbu each had big turnovers on the day to lead to scoring efforts.
 

The Details
 

Kick-off for Sunday's NCR 15's National Wild Card round is scheduled for 1 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Play-by-Play by clicking HERE.