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Rio Grande attempts to control a line-out play against eighth-ranked Marian University during Saturday's Big Rivers Rugby Conference matchup at Red Valley Pitch.
Rio Grande attempts to control a line-out play against eighth-ranked Marian University during Saturday's Big Rivers Rugby Conference matchup at Red Valley Pitch.
Posted: Oct 25, 2025

No. 8 Marian holds on late, edges RedStorm

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Rio Grande Sports Information
     RIO GRANDE, Ohio - With their post-season hopes relying on a "win to get in" scenario, the University of Rio Grande men's rugby team put forth an effort worthy of seeing its Fall 15s season continue on.
     Unfortunately, the effort failed to produce the victory that the RedStorm was needing.
     Marian University spotted Rio an early lead, then rallied to erase the deficit and held on down the stretch for a 20-14 triumph over the RedStorm, Saturday afternoon, in Big Rivers Rugby Conference action at a cool Red Valley Pitch.
     The Knights, who were ranked No. 8 in the latest National Collegiate Rugby Men's Division I poll, improved to 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the BRRC with the win.
     Rio Grande, which had been ranked No. 20 in the BRRC Division I poll before falling out of the most recent listing, finished its season at 2-4 overall and 1-2 in league play with the loss.
     The RedStorm took a 6-0 lead thanks to a pair of penalty kicks by junior Thibault Carrere (Dax, Landes, France) - with 29:28 and 20:12, respectively, left in the opening half, but Marian responded with 20 unanswered points to close the period.
     Joe Martindale's penalty kick with 14:50 left before halftime sliced the deficit in half and a successful try by Jacob Royston - plus a conversion by Martindale - just over three minutes later put the guests in front to stay.
     Despite being forced to play a man down thanks to a red card disqualification against Zach White with just over seven minutes left before the break, the Knights tacked on another PK from Martindale with 4:53 left in the half and a try by Mack Bridges - with a subsequent conversion from Martindale - to push the lead to 20-6 with 1:40 left ahead of intermission.
     Rio Grande started the road back on a try by senior Aaron Eddy (Beaumont, CA) with just under 6-1/2 minutes gone in the second half and pulled to with 20-14 on Carrere's third penalty boot with 23:19 left, but failed to get any closer.
     The RedStorm had the game's final possession, but saw the contest draw to a close when the Knights intercepted a lateral pass.
     Rio head coach Brad Sandig indicated after the match that he may try to schedule one more match - perhaps making up a cancelled match at Kutztown State (Pa.) - but that injuries and other factors would eventually determine whether or not that happens.