written by: Coach Matt Heavens

The Neumann University Men's Rugby Club (4-1) grabbed their third straight Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference (MARC) victory with a 37-5 win over Widener University (2-3) on Friday, October 19. Playing before a large and enthusiastic home crowd on Senior day, Neumann rode six first half trys to victory.

Senior center Nick Fallows wasted no time getting the Knights on the board dashing in for a try in the first minute for a 5-0 lead. The Knights continued to control the ball through steady phase play. Captain Santino D'Angelo touched down the second try after 12 phases of play. Connor Gilden added the conversion giving Neumann a 12-0 lead at the fourteen minute mark. The club continued to apply pressure on the attack resulting in a try for Gaetano Quintiliani boosting the NU to a 17-0 lead. Widener broke through on a misplayed ball to score their only try to pull within 17-5. The final eight minutes of the half saw the Neumann-15 notch three more trys with David Andreozzi, Mike Raymond and Fallows all scoring to send the Knights to half leading, 32-5.

The second half continued with the solid play on defense led by the punishing tackles of Liam Ruddy. Forwards Dan LaJudice, Pat Foster, and Mike Messina continued to grind possession for the Knights and steady attack stymied any comeback efforts by the Pride. D'Angelo added a second half try to finalize the scoring.

Neumann next hits the road to LaSalle University on Friday, October 26; kick-off is slated for 7:00pm.