This past weekend Loyola of Maryland defeated Spring Hill College 59-38 and Christendom College 48-30 to advance to the National Small College Rugby Organization final four weekend in April.

Danny Giannascoli put in an MVP performance in the win over Spring Hill. 

"Our offense moved fast as we were able to score often by attacking the empty space by foot and beating Spring Hill on the edge with our wing play," said Head Coach Matthew Cipriano. "The forwards were extremely successful on set-pieces, our maul was too much for SHC to handle, by doing so we kept the back-line on their back foot which allowed us to run downhill."

On Sunday it was a clash with top-ranked Christendom. Anthony McGrath had a superb game and was MVP of the game.

"We knew we had to correct a few things heading into this match as CC is dangerously fast and has great ball movement," said Cipriano. "It was great team meeting the morning of the match as we explained to the men that the only correction we needed to make was more trust and communication. For us to shut down CC's wing play we had to come across the pitch on defense faster—this meant the centers had to set the pace and push the wings across harder. The push defense is only successful when you trust the men on either side of you."

All of that trust made for a strong attacking pattern, and the players were able to link up with offloads as their teammates were running smart support lines.

Captain and flanker Justin Delcher, wing Nick Zwobot, and fullback Danny Giannascoli led well while McGrath, a shifty flyhalf who runs the attack, created gaps and set his runners free.

Up front hooker Mark Cojacaru and flanker Jake Walshe both scored, while locks John Burkard and Mike Malcotti set the tone.

This season for Loyola is dedicated to senior Charles Fisher, who is battling cancer, and Cipriano's former teammate Pat Quinn, who is dealing with ALS.

Loyola Coaching Staff: Director of Rugby and Head Coach Matt Cipriano, Director of Rugby Ops & Associate Head Coach Kenny Ames, Sr. Assoc. Coach, Strategy Mike Flanagan, Assoc. Coach Derald Dudley, Asst Coach Joe Morel, Athletic Trainer Caroline Siebens, Athletic Performance, Nick Ehrlich