A big win for Loyola of New Orleans over the weekend marks a new era in the program.
LSU is no pushover, but with Loyola being a new school-support program, they are able to get up to speed early in this, the Wolfpack's first ever season.
Making history as the first-ever try-scorer for Loyola was Ethan Ruiz, who dove over in traffic. Frank Finicle charged in for the second and Branson Perez converted. LSU answered and it was 12-7 at the halftime break.
Having played their first half of rugby, the Loyola players kind of settled down and started to execute the way they've been training. Gavin Miranda, Giovanni Matranga, and Orin Hart scored to make it 32-7 with 10 minutes to go.
It was then that LSU kind of faded and the final moments saw Loyola run in tries from Benjamin Burkett (the length of the feld), Matthew Cashio, and Jayden Salazar to wrap it up 51-7.
Director of Rugby Ryan Fitzgerald started putting this team together in August of 2025, and has spent that time recruiting and then training.
Fitzgerald has brought in Taylor Howden and James "Doc" Ivey as assistants and developed a neat little mnemonic to help drive the culture: TIME.
T is for TOUGH. Be mentally and physically tough.
"We have to deal with adversity and hang in there," said Fitzgerald, who has charged his players to defend the jersey, the team logo, and the player next to you.
I is for INSTINCTS. This would be trusting your instincts and backing yourself.
"I would rather have you make a mistake fast, with tempo and confidence, than be timid," Fitzgerald said.
