Lander University

Hailey Franklin

Men's Rugby 2/24/2025 10:26:00 AM Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Lander Wraps up UNC Wilmington SRC 7’s Tournament

Wilmington, N.C. - The men's rugby team wrapped up the UNC Wilmington 7's outing on Saturday, Feb. 22, defeating The Citadel 21-7, going 1-4 overall on the day.

Match One - NC State 26, Lander 7

The opening match against NC State proved challenging as Lander struggled to find their footing early. The slow start allowed NC State to take control and secure a decisive 26-7 victory. Joaquin Villegas managed to break through for the Bearcat's lone try, but it wasn't enough to shift the momentum.

Match Two - UNC Charlotte 26, Lander 14

Looking to bounce back, Lander came out strong against UNC Charlotte, surging to a commanding halftime lead. However, a few costly mistakes let UNC Charlotte back into the match. A late push from their opponent saw the Bearcats fall 26-14 despite tries from Ethan Richardson and Nathan Charbonnel.

Match Three - Lander 21, The Citadel 7

LU found its rhythm against in-state rival The Citadel. From the opening whistle, they established dominance, taking an early lead and maintaining control throughout the match. Richardson led the charge with two tries, while Asher Johnston added another, sealing a 21-7 victory.

Match Four - Coastal Carolina 24, Lander 19 (OT)

The day's final match saw Lander face Coastal Carolina in the final. Once again, the Bearcats stormed ahead with a strong start, but the Chanticleers battled back to level the score, forcing overtime. Coastal scored the golden-point try in a tense finish, securing a dramatic 24-19 victory.

Final Thoughts

"I'm proud of the men for their hard work today," said Head Coach Buck Billings. "We had some great play at times but also showed instances of weakness. We are making progress and looking to peak in April when it's playoff time."

UP NEXT
The Bearcats will compete in the Gamecock 7's Tournament on Saturday, March 1.

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Players Mentioned

Nathan Charbonnel: Freshman

Asher Johnston: Sophomore

Ethan Richardson: Senior

Joaquin Villegas: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nathan Charbonnel
: Freshman

Asher Johnston
: Sophomore

Ethan Richardson
: Senior

Joaquin Villegas
: Freshman