UMaine men’s rugby heading to regional playoffs with zero losses
The University of Maine Men’s Rugby Team will enter the regional playoffs for Division II of National Collegiate Rugby with a 7-0 record so far this season.
Black Bears, the third-ranked team in the country, are among four teams playing in the East Regionals Friday-Sunday, Nov. 17-19 in Reading, Pennsylvania. Whichever team wins will compete in the 2023 Men’s National Semifinals.
Led by team captain Shea Wagner of Freeport, Maine, the UMaine team will first face off against Villanova University at 2 p.m. Nov. 17.
“I am proud of the growth and development that the team has made this season,” says Dale Russell, team coach and assistant director of competitive sports with UMaine Campus Recreation in the Division of Student Life. “Not only did we move up a division this year, we also finished the regular season undefeated for the third straight year. The team understands, though, that the job isn’t done yet and are still working towards our first trip to 15s Nationals in 20 years.”
The team has established a fundraising link, through the University of Maine Foundation, to support their journey to the tournament.
The UMaine Men’s Rugby Team previously placed fifth in the 2022 Collegiate Rugby Championship, and sixth in the 2016 championship.