Baron Ruggers Are Unstoppable in Season Opener

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The 2010 goal for the Franciscan University of Steubenville Baron Rugby team is to go undefeated. And this Saturday, the Barons were unstoppable. Franciscan stormed Juniata College’s pitch, taking a 75-0 victory.

Led by captains Andrew Kay and Mike Brasie, the heavily-conditioned Barons bulldozed through their opposition.

“The guys’ commitment level this year is excellent,” head coach Mark Hanrahan said. “We had a lot of guys come back early for our preseason training of three practices a day. We had guys getting up at six in the morning. We are in much better conditioning shape than most rugby teams.”

Franciscan scored 13 tries in the match. Brasie was the first Baron rugger to barrel across the try-line, and added another try later in the match. Paul Lewis led the Barons with 3 tries. Thad Crosier and John Manni each contributed two tries.

This season’s Baron rugby team is more experienced than in years past. Not too long ago, Franciscan had to start nine rookies. Those days, for the time being, are gone and replaced by what Coach Hanrahan calls a complete team.

“Every once in a while, you get bits and pieces of a good team,” Hanrahan said. “You might get a good back line or a couple of good forwards. This year it seems like we have the whole package. We have great forwards, we have great mids, and we have a great coaching staff. It seems that this is the year for us.”

Helping to make this year pivotal in the Franciscan Rugby history books is the arrival of Crosier, a Steubenville native and transfer student to FUS. 

“Thad plays a really crucial position, scrum-half, which is basically the quarterback on the field,” explained Hanrahan. “He did a really great job controlling the tempo of the game. He knows the game, knows how to control the forwards and the backs, and knows how to communicate well.”

Crosier and his fellow Barons are pushing forward to obtain a successful season. Come watch the Franciscan Rugby team in action Saturday, September 18, as they take on Fairmont State in the seventh annual D’Anniballe Rugby Ruckus.