Pittsburgh, PA- The Domers season has come to a close in disappointing fashion with their 31-12 loss to Franciscan in the Three Rivers Rugby Conference Championship. However, it was still another strong season for the program, making it to the conference finals for the 7th straight season. Here we are going to recap the game as well as the season for the squad as they ended up 7-2 in total counting the two playoff matches.

For the game, it was a match of the conference heavyweight contenders. Both teams were ranked by NSCRO entering the match and both have a long history of playing against each other in the finals. Franciscan entered the match undefeated at 8-0 and ranked 4th in the nation by NSCRO. The Domers entered 7-1 and ranked 11th in the nation by NSCRO. Their lone loss came in the second match of the season against Franciscan, a 14-12 loss during RMU's homecoming weekend. Both team's had no shortage of play makers, but Robert Morris was down a key piece entering the match up. Team captain Ryan Lowden-Stoole was unavailable for the match due to injury, a huge blow for the team. 

The Domers could not get anything out of the gate. Before the half had come, Franciscan had scored 4 tries, and tacked on 3 conversions to have a commanding lead of 26-0 at the half. The team regrouped at the half, and started clawing their way back into the game. It started with a try from David Moody to get the Domers on the board. Zach Hoge nailed the conversion attempt as well to make the score 26-7. Rory Hegarty scored not long after to bring the score to 26-12, but the conversion attempt that followed was unsuccessful.

Despite playing a much stronger second half than how they began, the deficit was too much to over come as RMU ultimately lost 31-12. RMU is now 3-4 in the past seven seasons in 3RRC championship games against Franciscan. 

When taking a step back and looking at the season as a whole, it was a another strong season for the team. In the 9 total games they played, the Domers outscored their opposition 420-117. That's a point differential of +303 points! All seven wins were by at least 33 points on the scoreboard, with 3 of them by over 50 points. When they were on, this team could dominate offensively and defensively. They'd add points in a hurry and lockdown any chances for the opposition. 

The expectations on this team entering the season were high. This was a finals contender from the moment it stepped on the pitch for their opening match against Fairmont State this season. If injuries had not gotten in the way, it could be argued that it would be remembered as one of the strongest and most complete teams the Domers have ever fielded. The team will lose some key seniors this offseason, but there's plenty of talent remaining to fill the gaps. The team has strong coaching and a good core of players, and will be contenders again next season.

The Domers Rugby Club will return next season with a fire to regain the conference championship back from Franciscan. It is not an easy hill to climb, but it never is to be a champion. Look for Robert Morris to be back in the championship scene next season for a chance at redemption. 

Alexander Gagnon '21
Club Sport Information Director