WEST POINT, N.Y. -- The Kutztown team boarded their bus on a beautiful late summer day. They were traveling to West Point, New York. A few hours after their arrival, they would take on Army, the reigning USA Rugby National 15's Champions of 2022. It was going to be an interesting matchup, since the 2022 National Collegiate Rugby 7's Champions are the Golden Bears of Kutztown. Of course 15's and 7's are two completely different forms of rugby but the fact that each team had the talent to win a national championship, reflects on the caliber of their programs. Kutztown is also a talented and respected team in the rugby 15's format as well. Having won the Rugby East three times and the last time being pre-covid in 2019, they were traveling to West Point with a mission. The first and foremost quest of the Golden Bear Rugby program, is to win the Rugby East Conference. Now here they are, coming right out of the gate, taking on not only the national champions but also the defending Rugby East champions. 
 
The game was held in the Anderson Rugby Stadium, which is West Point's varsity rugby complex, located on campus, adjacent to the Hudson River. The Golden Bears kicked off at 6:00 PM, just as the stadium flood lights began to glow for the awaited clash between these two collegiate rugby titans. The Golden Knights scored early as they pounded their way down field with the massive black jerseys bearing the numerals one thru eight. Their hooker, Max Brown rambled fifteen yards on a line break that put him in the try zone. Army missed the corner conversion and jumped out to an early lead in the contest. Army 5 KU 0. Kutztown was not to be denied and came right back on a series of well executed phases. 
The determined Golden Bears went forward, crossing the gain line consistently, as they embraced the required physicality of this premier contest. The Kutztown scrum half Aidan Smith (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) ran a give and go with Mate Kvirikashvili (Kutaisi, Ga./Monroe Woodbury (N.Y.)) who slipped thru a sliver sized gap to run twenty yards and pass the ball back to Aidan, who then broke a tackle and dotted down for a superb try near the post. P.J O-Reilly converted and the Golden Bears were in the lead. KU 7  Army 5  
 
The two sides battled back and forth for twenty minutes before Army rocketed the ball to the outside channel, where they had constructed a two on one situation with the Kutztown wing. They worked hard but eventually placed the ball down in the corner of the try zone. Their corner conversion was no good but they took the lead. Army 10  KU  7. However, it didn't take Kutztown very long to work their way into the Army red zone. The intensity of the match continued to escalate and Army was penalized for diving over a Kutztown ruck. O'Reilly struck a penalty kick and the game was tied at 10 to 10. Kutztown was in the center of the ring and make no mistake, they were slugging it out with the Black Knights. Neither side was interested in taking any prisoners. The first half was winding down when once again, Army found space out wide and scored another try in the corner. The conversion attempt went wide and the scoreboard read Army 15  KU  10. It was with eight minutes left in the opening stanza when Army chased a kick deep into Kutztown territory with the ball being regained near the Kutztown goal posts. This was something to watch, as the powerful Army forward pack attempted multiple pick and go moves, literally two yards from pay dirt. The Kutztown side defended that try line as if their blessed souls were at stake. They stood up tall and proud. It was one of the most gallant efforts you would want to observe if you appreciate true grit. The Golden Knights actually changed tactics after at least six attempts to advance one yard. They wisely sent the ball to their backline, who proceeded to commit a turnover and Kutztown advanced the ball down the pitch and out of immediate danger. Then a few minutes later when the first half had officially ended but was extended because of a Kutztown infraction. Army was awarded a scrum within five yards of the Kutztown try line. Army ran a number eight pickup and drove into the try zone on the final play of a first half that had expired. Their conversion was once again no good and the teams retired to their respective side lines with Army in the lead 20-10. 
 
The second half began with a full moon over the Hudson and Kutztown bearing down on the Black Knights. The Golden Bears started off by charging into Army territory and applying constant offensive and defensive pressure that resulted in an Army penalty. Kutztown chose to take the three points and Mate Kvirikashvili (Kutaisi, Ga./Monroe Woodbury (N.Y.)) lined up a thirty eight yard kick that sailed toward the goal post but ricocheted off the right upright and back into play. It was another twenty minutes of brutal contact and skilled passing that followed from both sides. Kutztown fought their way into the Army red zone quite often, only to be penalized or commit an error to lose possession. Army managed to carve out another try without the conversion and now lead 25-10. Kutztown never let up and Rotuk Rahedi took a bouncing ball from the back of a line out at midfield and raced thirty yards before off-loading to Kvirikashvili, who ran the rock into the promised land. Mate then converted and Kutztown was back in this game. Army 25  Kutztown 17.  The Golden Bears continued to pressure Army and worked their way down field with impressive line breaks and co-ordinated phases on attack. The second stanza belonged to Kutztown but the clock and the Army defense prevailed in the end. 
 
It was a very impressive showing for this young Kutztown side. They certainly proved that this team can run with the best in the country. The Golden Bears have a brilliant future and if they can avoid the injury curse, they should have a very successful fall campaign. The Rugby East is the most competitive collegiate rugby conference in America and next week, as in every week, the Golden Bears will encounter another massive challenge. Next up on the docket will be instate rival and perennial power house, the Nittany Lions of Penn State.  
 
RUN WITH THE BEARS !