Rugby JV Drops Match to Lindenwood-Belleville

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Arkansas State University’s junior varsity team dropped a close match to the varsity team of Lindenwood-Belleville, 39-26, here Saturday afternoon in collegiate rugby.

“I’m very proud of our group,” said head coach Blake White. “We had eight freshmen starting and this was their first real exposure to a high energy atmosphere. Our inexperience really showed as we had several opportunities, but were unable to stay composed and capitalize. LUB is a talented team who is well-coached and were able to play a great territory game putting us under pressure.”

Lindenwood-Belleville got on the board early, scoring the quick try and conversion at kickoff. But, the Red Wolves answered with a score by Dante Bondoni to pull A-State to within two, 7-5.

The Lynx scored the penalty kick to increase their lead, 10-5. Tanner Pope responded with the successful try, and the conversion by Val Balande gave Arkansas State a narrow 12-10 edge. Another penalty kick bumped the Lynx up, 13-12, and a penalty try by LUB was the result of a yellow card by A-State’s Christian Schulze.

Another score before the half gave Lindenwood-Belleville the 25-12 lead at the midway point.

Early in the final period, the Lynx scored from the scrum to increase their lead to 32-12. With nine minutes left, Calvin Gentry added a try and Brock Roper drop kicked the quick conversion, drawing A-State closer, 32-19.

Schulze added another score and Roper was good on the conversion to narrow the gap, 32-26. But, the Red Wolves threw the interception with no time left, and the resulting Lynx score gave the home team the 39-26 final score.

Arkansas State will travel to Chicago, Friday, Nov. 2, to meet Notre Dame. Start time is 7 p.m.