Dashing their hopes of an undefeated season, the Lindenwood men's rugby team dropped a 32-26 decision to reigning national champions Life University on Saturday night at Hunter Stadium. A slow first half, inaccuracy at set piece, and lack of defensive pressure set the Lions back in their first loss of the year. 
 
Much like when earlier in the year when the Lions beat Life University, a slow start bore a heavy cost to Lindenwood. The potential first try of the game was taken away as wing Coleson Warner was deemed to have committed a double movement as he touched the ball down. Life University then went on the attack and through the ensuing penalty and touched down between the posts as Life flanker Orrin Bizer received an offload and scored through the middle of the defense. 
 
On the resulting kick off, Lindenwood would earn a penalty in the breakdown that was eagerly nudged through the posts by Evan Williams, making it 5-3. Lindenwood doubled up on three pointers after the sustained field possession and defensive pressure led to a 6-5 Lindenwood lead. 
 
The advantage, however, would be almost immediately undone as a high tackle would give Life their own opportunity to score three through the north posts, making is 8-6 as the tension and pressure on the defensive line grew. 
 
Heading into half time, Life would earn an attacking possession through an under resourced breakdown in the Lindenwood half. A well-timed offload, would see a try scored in the middle of the park once again and Lindenwood would jog into the half time locker room down 15-6.  
 
The Lions, however, would come out of the sheds firing. Pressure was heaped on the Life scrum as the referee allowed resulting in a yellow card and a pushover try for the Lions. Minutes later, replacement flanker Juan Mota Sanchez would escape from a turning maul nearly reaching the try line. After a huge clear out from the forwards emerging from the maul, Rhys Smith would find winger Cael Hodgson over the top for a score in the corner. Tying the score at 18 all in the 48th minute. 
 
Life, scrappy as ever, would go on a 14 point run scoring two tries due to lack of accuracy at the Lindenwood set piece. Strong tight play from the Running Eagles along with a lack of commitment from the Lions at the gain line would see Life take away the points they needed to win the match.  
 
Heads hung low on the Lindenwood sideline with the score at 32-18 until Coleson Warner intercepted an errant Life pass and touched the ball down in the corner. As the energy in Hunter Stadium lifted, so did the Lions' chances of a victory. With five minutes left, Evan Williams knocked over a penalty putting the Lions within striking distance on the last play of the match. 
 
With the horn blown, Lindenwood mustered a brave attempt at the try line from their own half. After mounting sustained pressure, an unwise offload ended the possession, match, and a Lions' undefeated season.  
 
Life University would win 32-26 while Lindenwood would take home a sobering reminder that victories, like time and most other things worthwhile, are fleeting.  
 
The Lindenwood Lions hit the road this coming weekend with two sides heading to Ft. Dodge, IA to take on junior college powerhouse Iowa Central on Saturday.