Wheeling, W. Va. - After an exciting Friday Night Lights match-up with Queens University of Charlotte two weeks ago, the Wheeling University Men's Rugby team (3-1-1, 1-1-1) had a two week break from the pitch. On Saturday, the team makes its return to the pitch as they hit the road to face St. Bonaventure with kick-off at 12:30 PM. After securing a big tie to add a conference point, the Cardinals are looking to get back in the win column as they head towards postseason play.
Last time out, it was lights, camera, action at Bishop Schmitt Field as the Men's Rugby program welcomed in National Collegiate Rugby (NCR)'s Friday Night Lights crew for their match-up with Queens University of Charlotte. Early on, it was the Royals who had the advantage, scoring the game's first two tries and only being combated with a Wheeling Penalty Kick to make it 12-3. They were able to hold that advantage through halftime, with Wheeling adding a second Penalty Kick to push the deficit to 17-6. The second half began the same way the first half ended, with another Penalty Kick, before the Cardinal offense hit their stride. They scored their first try three minutes into the new half and would outscore Queens 30-19 over the final 40 minutes. With just a few minutes left in regulation, the Cardinals would hit their final penalty kick of the day and would earn the 36-36 tie to round it out.
The Cardinals were led in the effort by the leg of Taku Musingwini, who finished with a season-high 21 points for the Cardinals. He only missed one conversion on the night, going 5-6, and added two penalty kicks to round out his day. Musingwini has been a force int he kicking game for the Cardinals throughout the season, hitting 66.6% of his conversions while adding an 80% mark in his penalty kicks. He currently sits second on the team with 46 points this season and has been a leader for the offensive side of the ball throughout the season. As the Cardinals play through their final two games of the regular season slate, they will be relying on Musingwini's foot to give them some key points down the stretch.
The Cardinal's leading try scorer was Alex Nyamunda, who got across the try line twice in the game, and finished with 10 points. He has been the team's leading scorer this season, putting across 11 tries and 55 points this season. He is chasing more history heading into these final two games, sitting just one try away from breaking the single-season 15's try record, set back in the team's first varsity season by Dante Walters. He has already tied his career high, and looks to continue pushing the envelope this season. Rounding out the offensive effort against Queens was Shadreck Mandaza, who returned from injury to secure the victory late. Mandaza has missed time throughout the season, but when he has been on the field, his impact has helped lead the way for the Cardinals.
As they head into their final two weeks of regular season conference play, the Cardinals are trying to climb the conference standings, sitting fourth with 10 and are just seven points off the conference lead. The final two weeks will go a long way towards determining the conference's playoff format, with the top two teams battling for the Conference Championship on November 8th. The Atlantic Rugby Conference tournament will see teams #1 and #2 battle for the championship, teams #3 and #4 battle for third place, and teams #5 and #6 battle for sixth place. The top four teams in the conference will make the NCR National Tournament, and the Cardinals will try to set themselves up for a long postseason run.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Bonnies are meeting for the 13th time in program history, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 8-5. Of those previous 13 matches, seven of them have come during the 15's season, with the Cardinals going 5-2 in those meetings. The Cardinals have had success on the road in the all-time series, going 2-1 at St. Bonaventure compared to a 3-3 mark at home. The Cardinals offense has been their guide, averaging 26 points per game in the all-time match-up, as they look to continue that success Saturday.
Their last meeting in 15's season came on November 18th, 2023, in a game that the Cardinals fell 26-13 in the NCR Quarterfinals. It was the combination of Alex Nyamunda and Lawula Bata, who each scored one try on the day. Former Cardinal Joseph Iye would add the final three points, hitting his lone Penalty Kick attempt of the day to round out the action.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 12:30 PM on the campus of St. Bonaventure. Follow along with wucardinals.com for updates throughout the day.
