Crusaders Take 4th at Franklin & Marshall 7s After Strong Two-Day Run

The Christendom College Rugby team delivered a weekend of hard-hitting, fast-paced rugby at the Franklin & Marshall 7s Tournament in Lancaster, PA, finishing 4th overall after a dominant Day 1 and a gutsy Day 2.

Day 1: Pool Play & Quarterfinal Perfection

Game 1 | Christendom 38 - 0 Pitt-Johnstown
The Crusaders opened the tournament with authority, blanking Pitt-Johnstown in a one-sided affair. Tries came from Charlie Ackla, Nate Sheedy, Jude Burkett, Will Kolesar, and Frank Woltering.

Game 2 | Christendom 47 - 7 Lafayette
Christendom's offense kept rolling in their second match. Ackla and Burkett both crossed the line twice, joined by Chris Santschi, Thomas Kelly, and Nate Eschbach. Lafayette managed a lone try, but the Crusaders controlled the pace from start to finish.

Game 3 | Christendom 24 - 14 Widener
In their final pool match, Christendom stayed composed against a tough Widener side. Santschi scored twice, while Sheedy and Ackla each added a try to seal a clean 3-0 record on Day 1.

Quarterfinal | Christendom 38 - 0 DeSales
In The Crusaders came out strong to start the Knockout Rounds, overwhleming DeSales in a shutout win. Burkett was unstoppable with a hat trick, and Ackla, Santschi, and Woltering added to the tally.

Day 2: Knockout Round Challenges

Semifinal | Christendom 12 - 17 Susquehanna
In a tightly contested semifinal, Christendom traded blows with Susquehanna but came up just short. Burkett and Sheedy scored, but a late Susquehanna try sealed the Crusaders' fate.

3rd Place Match | Christendom 7 - 19 Richmond
Fatigue and injuries caught up to the Crusaders in the third-place match. Burkett again found the try zone, but Richmond capitalized on turnovers and took the win.

Tournament Highlights

• Jude Burkett led the scoring with 8 tries over 6 matches.

• Charlie Ackla added 5 tries, showing great form throughout the weekend.

• Chris Santschi and Nate Sheedy scored 3 tries each, with Santschi's pace and Sheedy's footwork on full display.

• Christendom outscored opponents 166-57 overall.

Despite falling just short of the podium, the Crusaders showed depth, discipline, and explosive talent in every match — a strong statement as they gear up for the remainder of the 7s season.