The Renegades rugby club played Saturday and Sunday in the Texas Rugby Union Collegiate finals. The Renegades captured its second consecutive state championship title.
Texas State was the No. 1 one seed going into the tournament. The Renegades faced the Baylor Bears in the semifinals. The Bears recently won 70-5 against Stephen F. Austin, while the Renegades defeated San Angelo State 57-10. Texas State won the semifinals match.
The game’s first score came from a penalty kick nine minutes into the first half, giving Texas State a 3-0 lead. The Renegades were able to hold the ball in the Bears’ territory for most of the first half. John Grosch, geography senior, secured a 15-point lead for the Renegades by scoring the 15-0. Texas State led 24-0 at the end of the first half.
The Bears scored twice in six minutes at the beginning of the second half. The score was 24-12 after a missed goal kick by Baylor. However,
Texas State made another try, making the score 29-12 with 10 minutes left in the game. The Renegades missed the final goal kick, but still advanced to the finals on Sunday afternoon against Texas Christian.
Texas State defeated TCU earlier this year 35-0. TCU began the finals game with a 7-0 lead, and Texas State responded scoring 19 straight points, putting the score to 19-7 at the end of the first half.
Phil Laney, exercise and sports science senior, attributed the comeback to teamwork.
“We played well as a team and came through a tough situations,” said Laney.Texas State won the match 24-12.
Coach Scot Courtney said he hopes the team will advance further.
“Our ultimate goal is to make it as deep as possible and make it to the Sweet Sixteen,” Courtney said.
Texas State will play against Wisconsin-Madison March 20 on the West Campus Fields.