Wheeling, W. Va. - After taking home the first National Championship in program history back in May, the Wheeling University Men's Rugby team is ready to start the journey all over again in 2025. The team kicks off their Spring 7's season on Saturday, with a trip to the Peach 7's in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cardinals will see some of the top talent in the country right off the bat as they look to make it two titles in a row in 2025.
The Cardinals went on a historic run during the 2024 season, playing four tournaments across the two month stretch of action. During that time, the Cardinals did not lose a game, with their only slip up being in a 10-10 tie against Felician in the first game of the Moosemen 7's. They would start their postseason play at the BRRC 7's Tournament, where they entered as defending champions. They gave up just seven points in the first match of the day, and ran through the rest of the tournament field to the BRRC 7's Championship match. They would play that same team that they gave up the points to, the University of Rio Grande, and pulled out a 50-0 win to defend their conference title. They were then named the #1 seed in the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) 7's, where they finished their season with five straight wins to claim the national title.
Returning to lead the way for the Cardinals in 15's season is Shadreck Mandaza, who was the Cardinal's top all-around played during the championship run. In the CRC 7's tournament, Mandaza was named the tournament's MVP, finishing as the leading scorer, while also tying for the team lead with 10 tries across the five matches. He continued that trend during the 2024 15's season, where he was the team's leading scorer with 89 points. While he scored just four tries during the season, it was his kicking that led the way as he made 23 of his 26 conversion kicks for an 88% mark from the field. During 7's season, Mandaza uses his speed and agility to get around the defense and will look to be a big play threat for the Cardinals throughout the season.
While 15's season saw him score just four tries, Mohammed Haddar also returns for 7's, where he has excelled in his career. He was the Cardinal's leading try scorer during the 2023 7's season run, and had another strong showing at last year's CRC 7's Tournament. Haddar would account for six tries during the week, including a score in the National Title game, as he helped move around the ball on offense. When it comes to experience in 7's, no one has more than senior Joe Iye, who has helped lead the Cardinals to the CRC 7's every year in a Cardinal uniform. Iye played big on defense for the Cardinals during the National Championship, and got into the try zone in the title game. With a veteran team this season, Iye will try to add to the experience as they defend their title.
The Peach 7's Tournament kicks off a run of strong talent that the Cardinals will face throughout the 2025 Spring 7's Season. Included in this week's field of competition is Notre Dame, who the Cardinals played in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Quarterfinals in 15's, and a Tennessee team that the Cardinals last played a few seasons ago. Head Coach Mike Geibel is excited to face the heightened level of competition, because it prepares his team for what they will face on the national level. They continue to build their competition throughout the spring 7's season, with The Fighting Irish 7's ahead at the end of March and a Home tournament sandwiched in between. Wheeling looks to build off their 2024 success as they begin the road to another National Title.
The Matchups
Notre Dame: The Cardinals and Fighting Irish are meeting for the fifth time in program history, with Notre Dame Leading the all-time match at 3-1. However, it is just their second meeting in 7's with Notre Dame leading that series at 1-0. The Cardinals picked up their first win over the Fighting Irish during the NCR 15's Tournament in the fall and look to keep that momentum going. Their only 7's matchup came on April 6th, 2023, in a game Notre Dame won 69-7. Former Cardinal Dante Walters would score the lone Cardinal try in the effort.
Tennessee: The Cardinals and Volunteers are meeting for just the second time in program history, with Wheeling leading at 1-0. Their only matchup has come in 7's season, with the teams meeting for the first time since 2022. The meeting came in the Irish 7's, in a game the Cardinals won 35-7. Six different Cardinals would score tries on the day, including Ayoub Jalli, who scored what was his sixth try of the day at the event. The Cardinals look to keep their winning ways going as they take on the Volunteers in game two of the day.
Belmont Abbey: The Cardinals and Knights are meeting for the second time in program history on Saturday, and the first time in 7's season. The Cardinals have won the only meeting between the two teams, coming three seasons ago in the NCR 15's National Tournament. It was a close battle at Bishop Schmitt Field, with the Cardinals prevailing 19-13. Ayoub Jalli, Clarouly Meca, and former Cardinal Aaron Juma each scored in the day to lead the Cardinals.
Alabama: The Cardinals and Tide are meeting for the second time in program history when they meet in the final game on Saturday. The two teams are meeting for the first time since the 2021 7's season , with the Cardinals winning the lone meeting between the two teams. The meeting came at the 2021 Tropical 7's in a game the Cardinals would win 38-0. The Cardinals look to make it two in a row against the Tide as they wrap up play.
The Details
The Peach 7's kick-off on Saturday, March 8th, with the Cardinals battling Notre Dame College at 10:20 AM.
