MARIETTA, Ga. – It was a showdown in Marietta, Ga. Where the No. 5 Men's rugby team visited No. 2 Life University earlier this afternoon. The match came down to the final moments of the game, where Life held on to earn a 28-25 victory over the Panthers; Davenport now sits at 1-1 in spring play, and will visit other mid-south opponent Lindenwood March 14.
 
Saturday's contest consisted of exciting back and forth action between the two schools, trading tries to start the first half of action. After Life pulled ahead 14-7, Davenport responded with a Jean Pierre Eloff assault as he recorded both a penalty kick and a try to pull the Panthers ahead 15-14.
 
The Two teams again exchanged tries as Willy Urena put the Panthers ahead 22-19 heading into the halftime break. Brady Gent tallied the first try for the Panthers in the half.
 
Stringy defense was on display in the second half for both teams as no tries were recorded the entire half. Life tied things up to start things out in the second with their first penalty kick of the match. They would then kick successfully for a second penalty conversion, taking a late game lead.
 
Davenport would respond with a penalty kick from Eloff tying the No. 2 Eagles late into the half. As Life regained possession after the Eloff kick, they caught one final chance at a penalty kick in which they converted on, and came away with the 28-25 victory.
 
Eloff finished up with 15 total points with two penalty kicks and a try, while Urena and Gent's first half tries made up for the remainder of the Panthers points.
 
The Panthers sit at 1-1 so far this spring, and will visit No. 4 Lindenwood march 14 for another mid-south matchup.
 
Men's Rugby Contact: Paul Anderson | 616-889-4062 | panderson30@email.davenport.edu
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