USI Rugby Club places third in NSCRO National Championships

The University of Southern Indiana Rugby Club placed third in National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) Champions Cup, held April 30 - May 1 in Glendale, Colorado.

In the first semifinal match, USI lost to defending and eventual champions Mount St. Mary's University on a last-minute penalty goal after coming back from a 17-0 halftime deficit in what NSCRO described as "one of the most exciting NSCRO matches ever played."

"We knew how good they were and what they were capable of," said team captain Jon Stinnett. "Mount St. Mary's hadn't been kept below 50 points all year, but it didn't phase us. Seeing us come back and take the lead with less than 10 minutes in the game from so many points down was something special that you don't see in rugby."

USI defeated Eastern Connecticut State University in the third-place match, 36-13. Connor Maclean-Kennedy, Ashton Forzley, Joe Powell, Garrett Wardell and Trevor Willis were all named to the NSCRO All-Championship 15. Stinnett was also named USI's recipient of the Heart and Soul Award.

"It truly showed the spirit of the team and brotherhood that we have," said Stinnett. "I am extremely proud of the team and more than honored to be part of the program, let alone captain of such a great group of men."

USI Rugby Club is an independently-run student organization affiliated with the NSCRO, IRFU and USA Rugby. The club, which was founded in 1991, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2016. It is open to all USI students.

For more information about USI Rugby, visit USIrugby.com or Facebook.com/USIRugby.