Siena University Rugby traveled to the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Stadium this past weekend to compete in the NCR 7s National Qualifier. Hosted by the MLR's New England Free Jacks, the tournament featured a powerhouse field, including ACR heavyweights St. Bonaventure and Kutztown State, alongside Liberty League rivals Brown University and AIC.
Match One: Siena vs. Kutztown State
Siena opened pool play against the eventual tournament champions, Kutztown. The opposition struck first with a converted try, but Siena responded quickly off a set piece with a try from scrum-half Jack Burns. Luca Holloway added the conversion to knot the score at 7-7.
Kutztown regained momentum before the break, crossing the line twice to take a 19-7 lead into halftime. In the second half, Siena's Holloway found the try zone following a clinical assist from Burns. A tough conversion attempt bounced off the uprights, leaving Siena within seven. However, Kutztown secured an insurance try late in the match to finalize the score at 24-12.
Match Two: Siena vs. AIC
In the second round, Siena faced an AIC squad coming off a dominant win over Nazareth. AIC opened the scoring with an unconverted try (5-0), but Siena took the lead when winger Preston Frazier chased down a 40-meter kick, beating the defense to the ball. Holloway slotting a difficult conversion to put Siena up 10-7.
AIC managed to steal the lead back just before the whistle, heading into the half up 10-7. A Siena turnover early in the second period led to another AIC score (15-7). Playing with "abandoned" intensity, Siena pinned AIC in their own end, eventually earning a penalty try to bring the score to 15-14. Despite the late pressure, the clock expired before Siena could find the go-ahead points.
Match Three: Siena vs. Nazareth University
With championship play out of reach, Siena looked to finish the day strong against Nazareth. After an early 7-0 lead, the Saints found themselves deadlocked at 14-14 at the half. Nazareth took advantage of a defensive turnover early in the second half to pull ahead 21-14.
Showing grit and resolve, Siena surged back with two tries directly under the posts—the first a breakaway run by Harry Ryder, followed by a clinical finish from Luca Holloway. With both tries converted, Siena secured a 28-21 victory to close out their pool play.
Tournament Wrap-Up
Championship Final: Kutztown State 19, Brown University 17
Next Event: NCR National Qualifier at the Old Blue Sevens (Mount Vernon, NY) – March 28
