Rugby East Conference News
Despite Iona's loss to West Point last Friday, some Iona players showed themselves to be very handy, and perhaps the handiest was Jon Petteruti.
The Iona flanker and captain was a force, making big runs up the middle, helping set up Iona's lone try, and playing hard-nosed defense.
Wheeling Jesuit opened up the Tom Duffy era with a 30-14 defeat of Lindenwood-Belleville in a key non-conference game for both programs.
Lindenwood-Belleville, which had opened up its independent schedule with a win over Tennessee, looked fairly strong in the first half.
Rutgers upended Delaware Friday night in a non-conference clash for both teams.
The result, a 15-12 victory for Rutgers, was perhaps a little bit of a surprise, and either a wakeup call for the Blue Hens, a signal that Rutgers is one the rise, or perhaps both.
West Point needed all of their patience and intensity to hold off Iona to win 16-5 Friday night in a Rugby East clash.
Both teams scored one try, but flyhalf Jon Kim's kicking was the difference, as he logged three penalties and a conversion.
A new conference starts play this weekend as the Chesapeake gets on the field.
This will be a toss-up competition, with strong DII programs Towson and Salisbury taking on playoff-level DIAA teams (James Madison), championship-level NSCRO teams (Mount Saint Mary's), and solid DI teams, as well. It's a wild mix, and now we get to see how they all match up.