CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Lander men's rugby team opened the season in impressive fashion, defeating Western Carolina 52-10 on Saturay afternoon. 

Lander, in its first season under head coach Buck Billings, is in a transition season from a club team to a varsity program. 

Cam Smith led the Bearcat attack with four tries, while Matthew Shoemaker recorded six conversions. Lander also got tries from Grayson Broome, Daniel Odom, Ben Schlappi, and Toby Duggan, who scored the first try of the match. 

The Bearcats play their first home match of the year next Sunday as Lander hosts College of Charleston at 12:00 p.m. 

#cLawsUp | @LanderRugby