Bowling Green has qualified for USA Rugby Men’s College 7s Championships by winning the Notre Dame College 7s Saturday.
The Falcons ran into some challenges along the way in a competitive tournament, but three tries from Griffen Palmer saw the Falcons over a strong St. Bonaventure team 33–17.
Bowling Green won their pool, shutting out Cincinnati 33-0 and Dayton 31-0. But they had more trouble in their first game against St. Bonavanture, Down 19-14, they got two tries from Cole Shaffer to come back and win.
That set up a semifinal against the University of Buffalo. Adam Regini, Mario Mockus, and Shafer all scored as they held off UB 21-10.
Meanwhile, in Pool A, Notre Dame College won out, battling through some tough matches. They edged Ohio 33-28, beat Miami 29-7, and then got by Buffalo 36-19. But the hosts were shocked by St. Bonaventure 29-24 in the semis. In that game, Bonnies led 24-12 thanks in part to two tries from Daniel Dillon. But with Dillon in the sin-bin NDC stormed back to tie the game at the final whistle. On to overtime, where Jordan Farrant cut through a gap to win it in sudden death.
That set up the final, where Bowling Green led 21-7 and cruised to the win.
The victory puts Bowling Green into the national tournament. Eleven more qualifier tournaments remain.
