WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Norwich University Men's Rugby team competed in their fifth consecutive National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) 7s National Tournament over the weekend coming away with a third-place finish.

On the first day of competition, the Cadets began play in a four team round robin to advance to the bracket stage. Game one of the round robin put Norwich against Scranton where they scored 34 unanswered points until the Royals finally broke through late to make the final score 34-5 with Marius Edwards (Unity, N.H.) notching two tries.

Edwards continued to roll in the second game of pool play against Auburn adding three more tries to his name, including two in the first half. An early score by Rashawn Fraser (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) put Norwich ahead for good as they would defeat the Tigers 34-0.

With the rain pouring down, the end of pool play was pushed to Saturday where the Cadets would take on Northern Iowa. In that matchup, Norwich jumped out to an early lead with Leo Clayburgh (Brussels, Belgium) scoring a try and adding the conversion. However, after a score by Edwards, the Panthers would answer with a try before the half. Out of the break, Aiden Maher (Haddam, Conn.) found the score sheet to extend the Norwich lead. After Northern Iowa scored a try and conversion to cut the lead, Fraser scored a try to put the game away.

This sweep of the round robin clinched the top seed in the National Semifinals where the Cadets faced the eventual champion, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In this contest it was the Crimson Hawks that were off and running scoring the first try, which went unconverted. A try by Fraser and conversion by Edwards gave the Dirt Dogs their first lead, however IUP responded with an unconverted try before the half. Out of the break, Fraser would score again to put Norwich back on top. However, the Crimson Hawks took a 15-14 lead late and made a late stand to advance to the National Championship Game.

The Cadets were awarded third place in the tournament based on record and point differential, their best finish in the national tournament in the five-year run of making it to the national stage.

"Coach Manhey and I were so proud of our 7s squad at Nationals," Head Coach Bob Weggler said. Especially the way they battled through the challenges of the poor weather conditions and injuries. They fought to the final whistle, representing the Norwich Rugby Program with class, grit, and integrity. It was a pleasure and honor to be their coach."