They say turnabout is fair play. It can also be heartbreaking.
In a stunning twist of fate mirroring last year’s championship showdown, Brown University edged St. Bonaventure 11-10 in the National Collegiate Rugby Division I semifinal, punching their ticket to next Saturday’s title game in Houston.
The Bonnies, ranked No. 3 nationally, were just a hair’s breadth away from a third national title game appearance in four years. The gut-wrenching loss came down to the final whistle, echoing last year when St. Bonaventure secured the championship berth with a similar last-second penalty kick victory over Brown.
A Defensive Battle Royale
This year’s clash was a bruising, physical battle dominated by staunch defense. Brown, the No. 2 team in the nation, struck first with a penalty kick just five minutes into the match, taking an early 3-0 lead.
But the Bonnies responded with fierce determination. Ten minutes later, Lukas Otineru busted through the Brown defense with a punishing, tackle-breaking run, diving across the try line. The conversion by Matheo Lorenzato gave SBU a 7-3 lead.
Brown, undeterred, took the lead back midway through the first half. In a strategic move, they bypassed a makeable penalty kick, opting for a lineout that culminated in a powerful 30-yard maul, pushing them over the try line for an 8-7 lead.
Missed Opportunity and Late-Game Heroics
The Bonnies nearly regained the lead with about 20 minutes remaining, marching deep into Brown territory. However, a costly turnover just yards from the try line dashed their hopes.
With the clock ticking down and the pressure mounting, St. Bonaventure’s kicking specialist, Noah Edwards, entered the fray. The Bonnies specialist had been sidelined for weeks due to injury but made a triumphant return midway through the second half.
And with just minutes left on the clock, Edwards delivered. He calmly slotted a penalty kick from a challenging angle at the 66-minute mark, reclaiming the lead for St. Bonaventure at 10-8.
History Repeats Itself
“They say turnabout is fair play. It can also be heartbreaking,” said a Bonnies representative.
History seemed poised to repeat itself. But Brown refused to surrender. In the final, agonizing moments of the match, Brown drew a penalty, setting up a short kick for the win. With nerves of steel, they converted the penalty kick, securing an 11-10 victory and ending the Bonnies’ championship aspirations.
This marked the third consecutive year that St. Bonaventure and Brown met in the final four of the NCR Division I Champions, with Brown flipping the script after suffering a narrow loss to the Bonnies in 2022.
Brown will now face the winner of this evening’s second semifinal, pitting top-ranked Queens against No. 4 Wheeling, for the national title on Saturday.
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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).
What key strategic decisions by Brown contributed to their victory over St. Bonaventure?
Let’s talk rugby with our guest today! Welcome to the show!
**Alex Reed**
Thanks for having me!
**Interviewer:**
That was a nail-biter of a semifinal! Brown pulled off an 11-10 victory over St. Bonaventure. Can you give us your takeaways from this match?
**Alex Reed:**
Absolutely. This was a true battle of titans. Both teams are powerhouses in collegiate rugby, and the defense was phenomenal on both sides. Brown showed real strategic brilliance with that lineout decision, opting for the maul instead of an easy penalty kick.
**Interviewer:**
The Bonnies must be heartbroken after coming so close last year and then again in this game.
**Alex Reed:**
You said it. This is a tough one for St. Bonaventure. Last year’s win was extremely close, and this one was a mirror image, with the roles reversed. Their kicking specialist returning after being sidelined adds another layer of heartbreak to this loss.
**Interviewer:**
It seems like Brown is peaking at the right time.
**Alex Reed:**
They definitely are!I wouldn’t bet against them in the championship game. This was an impressive performance, and they clearly have the tenacity and skill to go all the way.
**Interviewer:**
Well said. Thank you so much for your insights. We’ll be watching the championship game closely next Saturday!
