Cardinals deal RedStorm first loss

Rio Grande Sports Information
     RIO GRANDE, Ohio - The Wheeling University rugby team opened its 2025 Fall 15s season right where it ended its Spring 7s campaign earlier this year - with machine-like precision.
     The Cardinals, who are the defending national champion in 7s play, rolled up 37 first half points and cruised to a 47-13 win over the University of Rio Grande, Saturday afternoon, in non-conference action at Red Valley Pitch.
     The contest served as the season opener for Wheeling.
     Rio Grande slipped to 1-1 with the loss.
     Panashe Mugorogodi led the Cardinals first half blitz, scoring on tries in the 10th, 37th and 40th minutes.
     Alex Nyamunda and Mychal Andrews also scored on tries in the 22nd and 35th minute, respectively, and Taku Musingwini tacked on a pair of penalty kicks to three successful conversion boots as the visitors bolted to a 37-3 advantage at the intermission.
     Rio Grande's first half points came on a penalty kick by junior Thibault Carrere (Dax, Landes, France) in the 30th minute.
     Carrere was unsuccessful in his attempt to give the RedStorm an early lead when his PK attempt in the fifth minute sailed wide.
     Rio Grande scored its first try of the afternoon just two minutes into the second half when sophomore Luke Turner (Eastbourne, England) found the zone, but Wheeling got the points back six minutes later when another try by Mugorogodi made it 42-8.
     Nyamunda scored again for the Cardinals in the 60th minute, while the RedStorm set the final score on a try by freshman Isaac Madrid (Tucson, AZ) with just under eight minutes remaining.
     Rio Grande hits the road for the first time this season on Saturday when it travels to Thomas More University for a Big Rivers Rugby Conference matchup.
     Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.