Eutectics Qualify for Nationals

OMAHA, NEB. – The Eutectic men's rugby team made history on Saturday, qualifying for the College Rugby Athletic Association (CRAA) Division 1AA 7's national championships with a third-place finish at the Heart of America Conference 7's tournament.

The Eutectic squad started the day with a 33-7 victory over Kansas University and a 28-28 tie against University of Nebraska in pool play to put them as the fourth seed going into bracket play.

The UHSP squad then faced the fifth-seed Nebraska team again in the quarterfinals, this time winning 26-12 to advance to the semis.

The semifinal match against Iowa State was controversial, but finished with the Eutectics on the losing end of a 28-26 score to put them in the third-place playoffs against Wayne State University. The UHSP team confidently won the matchup with Wayne State, 38-12, to claim third place at the conference tournament and secure their bid to nationals.

UHSP Head Coach Peter Lang was proud of his team and what his young group of athletes was able to accomplish.

"The referee really didn't help us in the semis, although we felt that was a game we could have won. But, the team played really great rugby," said Lang. "We are building a lot of cohesion and are peaking at the right time to be competitive at the National 7's tournament."

Lang went on to express his confidence that the Eutectics can turn some heads at nationals.

"We have absolute belief that we can go all the way, which would be a great way to close out this program."

The Eutectics will be one of 12 teams competing at the national championship tournament held May 9-10 at the Iowa City Soccer Complex in Iowa City, Iowa.