Rugby clubs compete in Beast of the East tournament

Salve Regina’s men’s and women’s rugby clubs recently participated in the Beast of the East, the largest collegiate rugby tournament in the nation. For the first time in program history, the men’s club won the Division II bracket, while the women’s club placed second in the Division III plate bracket.

In the championship match, the men’s club beat newly established rival Plymouth State University 22-7, with scores from Jake Ehkof ’17, Joe Goff ’18, Nate Misbach ’17 and Conor Murphy ’18. Salve Regina outscored opponents 146-30, going undefeated in five games. Additional scorers in the wins over Boston University, SUNY Geneseo, Bryant University and Roger Williams University were Ben Brissette ’18, Liam Burke ’18, Gary Cali ’17, Connor Gembecki ’16, Kyle O’Conner ’19, Brian Schmidt ’19 and Tyler Willett ’18.

The women’s club’s second-place finish was its highest in four seasons competing in the tournament. Salve Regina posted wins against Wentworth Institute of Technology, Babson College and Johnson State University but lost to Framingham State University 40-10 in the championship match. Over the course of the weekend, Salve Regina scored 96 points with 79 against, a dramatic increase from years prior.

The rugby clubs are coached by Ronan Hingerty. For the latest news, follow the men’s club and women’s club on Facebook.