The Lions were knocked out of the USA Rugby D1A College playoffs with a 27-19 loss to Life University in the East Region final Saturday at Lupo Family Field in Marietta, Georgia.

In the third meeting between the two squads this season, both teams entered the contest with great familiarity about each other, so very little happened on the pitch that was not expected.  Lindenwood was hoping for a better outcome after dropping the first two confrontations earlier in the season, and the Lions built a lead midway through the second half, but a Running Eagles rally thwarted the Lindenwood effort. 

The Lions controlled the contest early and took a 6-3 lead after an exchange of penalty kicks.  Fullback Reece Botha booted both for Lindenwood and Chance Wenglewski led play in the trenches to keep the Lions on the front foot in all phases of the game.  

Solid open-field kicking from Botha kept Life away from the try line for more than 30 minutes, but some breaks in the Lions defense eventually allowed two Running Eagles tries late in the half and Life took a 15-6 advantage to the break. 
Lindenwood entered the second half with a renewed sense of purpose and recommitment to the game plan.  The backs for the Lions were able to work the team down the pitch and the forwards demonstrated strong play in the set pieces. This resulted in another successful penalty kick from Botha to pull Lindenwood to within six points.

After some tough play from both groups of forwards, halfback Richard Felton threw an absolute dart to center Lorenzo Thomas in a gap and Thomas scrambled 50 meters towards the try line.  Life somehow managed to pull the big man down, but Lindenwood support was supreme. Flanker Wesley Parker secured the breakdown and Felton threw another perfect pass to center Anelisa Mteto who dove in for the Lions first try of the match in the 54^th minute.  Botha converted and Lindenwood took a 16-15 lead.  A fourth penalty kick off the foot of Botha extended the margin to four, eight minutes later, but the Running Eagles controlled the game from there.

The Lions won back possession and looked like they were working towards another score, but an ill-advised kick gave Life a chance, and the Running Eagles found space and scored to take a 20-19 advantage in the 67^th minute. With the contest still well within reach, Lindenwood gave Life too many chances.  The Running Eagles added a converted try with just three minutes remaining to seal their comeback and the fate of the Lions.

Men's rugby now turns attention to sevens competition the rest of the season.  The USA Rugby Collegiate Sevens Championship takes place May 25-26 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado, followed by the Collegiate Rugby Sevens (CRC 7's) Championship June 1-2 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania.