COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Kutztown Men's Rugby Team traveled to College Park Maryland on March 11th, to participate in the first national 7's qualifying tournament of the new season. It was a bitter cold day with gray skies and wind gusts up to forty miles per hour. Not ideal but then again, rugby only stops for lightening. The Golden Bears took on the University of Delaware in the opener. The Blue Hens where no match for the Golden Bears and fell to Kutztown 39-0. The second round was predicted as a challenge for Kutztown. As they were slated to take on, Rugby East Conference foe, the Knights, of Southern Virginia University. A team that Kutztown had battled in the fall 15's season, to a one point KU victory. SVU played KU to a stalemate through the first two minutes of the contest and were looking strong in all facets of the game.

Late in the first half, KU scored two quick, break away try's and went into halftime leading 14-0. Kutztown was relentless in attack and defense during the second half and went on to shut the door on the Knights, 28-0. 

The third round pitted Kutztown against arch rival and Rugby East member, Notre Dame College from Euclid, Ohio. There has always been a very keen level of competition between the two sides Each side equally competitive on the national stage. This day was the day of the Falcons, as they edged out Kutztown on a late score to steal the victory 19-14. 

In Kutztown's final game of the tournament, they defeated Salisbury University from Salisbury, Maryland. The Sea Gulls were no match for the Golden Bears, as Kutztown rebounded with a 59-0 Tournament victory. It was a good day of rugby and Kutztown returned home with accomplishments and lessons learned, as the tournament season unfolds. All with the purpose of preparation for the National Tournament on April 28-30 at the Maryland Soccer-Plex stadium in Germantown, Maryland. 

RUN WITH THE BEARS !