Men’s Rugby, Women’s Soccer Fall in Playoff Games

Christendom's men's rugby team and women's soccer team both fell in key National Championship playoff games over the weekend, with rugby coming up short against the Catholic University of America (CUA) in the National Collegiate Rugby Sweet Sixteen and women's soccer losing to SUNY-ESF and Paul Smith's College in USCAA National Championship Pool Play.

The men's rugby team, coming off a strong 15s regular season, a second-place finish in the Cardinals Conference Championship, and a regional playoffs play-in game win, entered the weekend looking to grab their latest trip to the National Collegiate Rugby National Championship in Houston, Texas. The team, ranked #8 in the nation this year, took on #5 ranked CUA, whose big group of forwards quickly took control of the game. That, combined with strong winds, proved to be powerful obstacles for the Christendom defense. The team fought hard, but ultimately came up short 53-17, bringing their 15s season to an end.

The men's rugby team will return for 7s play in the spring, aiming for another 7s National Championship run.The women's soccer team competed in the USCAA DII National Championship Tournament over the weekend.

Meanwhile, up in Pittsburgh, the women's soccer team began pool play in the USCAA DII National Championship tournament over the weekend. The women's soccer team was ranked #6 in the nation by the USCAA during their fall season, going 11-7 and finishing the season with four straight wins — including winning the Eastern States Athletic Conference Championship game on October 30.

Playing in their second-ever trip to the National Championship Tournament, the team started off playing #2 seed SUNY-ESF. Both teams battled, with SUNY finally breaking the 0-0 tie at the 44:00 mark in the first half. Christendom held them at a 1-0 lead to start the second half until SUNY finally scored again, sealing a 2-0 win.

Christendom played again on Sunday, looking to keep their National Championship hopes alive. Taking on Paul Smith's College, the women's soccer team fell to a 2-0 deficit by the end of the first half. Georgia Francis, however, punched a goal through for Christendom in the second half, cutting the lead to 2-1. Paul Smith's College pushed another goal across late in the second half, however, giving them a 3-1 win and ending Christendom's season.

Both the men's rugby team and women's soccer team battled hard all season. While the end result was not what either was hoping for, both proudly represented Christendom, living up to the Athletic Department's slogan "for the love of the game and the glory of God."