GLENDALE, Colo. - The Norwich University men's rugby team finished off its debut at the USA Rugby Division II Collegiate 7s National Championship with two victories to claim the Bowl Championship and ninth place in the tournament.
Norwich defeated Univ. of Texas at San Antonio 31-10 in the bowl semifinals and then avenged an earlier loss vs. defending national champion Principia (Ill.) with a 31-10 victory as well to claim the Bowl title and ninth place overall out of the 12 teams.
Norwich sprinted out to a 12-5 halftime lead vs. UT-San Antonio with tries from Nate Rolling and Austin Manhey. Frick hit one of the two conversions. UT-San Antonio scored a try on an interception.
Keegan Frick opened the scoring in the second half but UTSA answered with another try to cut the lead to 17-10. Anthony Candrilli and Alejandro Galea added second half tries with two conversions from Frick to cap the scoring for the 31-10 victory.
Principia scored just 20 seconds into the match to take a 5-0 lead early on the Cadets in the Bowl Championship. However, NU scored 21 unanswered points with converted tries from Tom St. Pierre, Candrilli and Rolling. Frick hit all three conversions.
Austin Manhey and Rolling added late tries in the second half to cap the scoring.
The Cadets (14-9) finished with a 3-2 record at the championship.
"I'm so proud of the way we competed throughout the weekend," said NU head coach Bob Weggler. Keegan Frick was excellent leading the team as our captain."
