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A Senior Day Victory for the Rugby Cats

By Joe Mertens '15, 05/17/21, 1:15PM EDT

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Sean Cook scores what would be the game winning try vs. St. Xavier in a 15-14 win Saturday afternoon.

A defensive battle throughout saw the Wildcats come away with a 15-14 victory Saturday afternoon against the St. Xavier Bombers on Wasmer FIeld as the seniors got the job done for a Senior Day victory. The Cats are now 10-2 and have found their rhythm with just one game remaining before tournament play begins in Ohio.

The Wildcats would strike early on the Bombers, as at the 12th-minute mark. As the Wildcats moved the ball away from the scrum, they found Danny Krebs streaking up the far sideline. Krebs avoided the Bomber defenders and broke free for a 40-yard try. St. Xavier caught up to Krebs near the goal-line. However, Krebs was able to touch down for the successful try and give the Cats a 5-0 lead.

At the 28th minute mark, nearing the first half, the Wildcats were looking to build more momentum against the Bombers. They did just that with another athletic play by Jack Patton '21 from the Wildcats as they would extend their lead to 10-0 at the half.

In the second half of the 42nd-minute mark, the Wildcats extended their lead to 15-0 after a Sean Cook try as the Wildcats were able to win a scrum near the goal line. This score for the Wildcats wound up being the game-winning try as St. Xavier would begin their comeback shortly after Cook’s try.

The Wildcats showed stout defense near their goal line throughout the contest; however, the Bombers would get on the scoreboard at the 48th-minute mark, willing their way in for the try and making the score 15-7. Nearing the 52nd mark, the Bombers broke away from the Wildcat defense for a 45-yard try to cut the Wildcats lead to just one.

SIBN Player of the Game; Sean Cook

The final eight minutes of gameplay would be a hard-nosed defense for Saint Ignatius and St. Xavier. As time on the clock hit zeros, gameplay continued as there was extra time. The Bombers continued to work their way closer to the goal line, but the Wildcat defense continues to stay strong. As the final whistle blew, the Cats were victorious and celebrated a Senior Day win.

The Wildcats are now on a six-game winning streak and will wrap up the regular season against Gonzaga on May 22 at 4 p.m. The Cats will finish the regular season where it began at Mylan Park in Morganstown, West Virginia. Tournament play will begin next week for the Rugby Cats.