FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Tech men's rugby team secured a historic milestone Saturday afternoon, defeating the University of Rio Grande 34-17 at Shields Field to clinch a spot in the Big Rivers Rugby Conference semifinals for the first time in program history.

The victory marks another significant step forward for the Warriors, who have reached the conference postseason in just their second varsity season. It also provided a measure of redemption after Rio Grande defeated Indiana Tech 36-15 a season ago.

Indiana Tech wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as Dakota Faulkner connected on a penalty kick in the second minute to give the Warriors an early 3-0 advantage. Rio Grande responded with a penalty kick of its own in the sixth minute, leveling the contest at 3-3.

Despite several early miscues that led to a back-and-forth territorial battle, the Warriors found their first breakthrough in the 18th minute. Drew Stauffer broke free for an impressive 40-meter solo run, racing through the Red Storm defense before scoring off a quick pass from the breakdown, touching down for Tech's first try of the afternoon. Faulkner added the conversion to give Indiana Tech a 10-3 lead.

The Warriors extended their advantage in the 35th minute when Faulkner connected on his second penalty kick of the match.

Just two minutes later, Indiana Tech produced one of its most exciting attacking sequences of the season.

Douglas Henry stripped possession from a Rio Grande player inside the Red Storm's 22-meter line and broke into open space. Henry carried the ball to midfield before being brought down, managing an offload to Ashton Skarie, who quickly moved the ball to Noah Hughes. Racing down the sideline, Hughes broke two tackles before delivering a skillful one-handed offload back inside to Aveairre White, who finished the outstanding team effort with a try.

Faulkner added the conversion, sending the Warriors into halftime with a commanding 20-3 advantage.

The opening stages of the second half saw Indiana Tech spend extended periods defending, with limited possession keeping the Warriors from building on their lead.

However, the Warriors capitalized on an opportunity in the 52nd minute when Skarie attacked a gap in the Rio Grande defense and delivered an offload to Henry. The powerful forward broke free for a 60-meter run to the try line, extending Indiana Tech's lead. Faulkner converted to make it 27-3.

Ten minutes later, Max Brinker added Tech's fourth try of the afternoon, powering across the goal line from close range in the 62nd minute. Faulkner added his fourth successful conversion of the match, pushing the Warriors' advantage to 34-3.

Rio Grande continued to battle, scoring converted tries in the 68th and 77th minutes, but Indiana Tech's advantage proved too much to overcome as the Warriors closed out the 34-17 victory.

Faulkner finished the afternoon with 14 points, converting all four Indiana Tech tries and connecting on two penalty kicks. Stauffer, White, Henry, and Brinker each contributed a try in a balanced attacking performance.

The victory gives Indiana Tech three wins against Big Rivers Rugby Conference opponents this season, including two divisional victories counting toward the conference standings. The Warriors' earlier victory over Iowa Central was a cross-conference contest that did not factor into the divisional standings.

More importantly, Saturday's result officially secured the Warriors' place in the Big Rivers Rugby Conference semifinals, an achievement that reflects the program's continued development in just its second year of varsity competition.

"Reaching the conference playoffs in our second season is a good step forward for this program," said Indiana Tech Head Coach Sam DiFilippo. "Our players have worked to put themselves in this position, and they've earned the opportunity to keep competing. We're continuing to build, and our focus is on improving each week and being prepared for what's next."

The Warriors will first travel to East Lansing, Michigan, to face Michigan State University on Saturday, October 24, before heading to Indianapolis on October 31 for a Big Rivers Rugby Conference semifinal showdown with Aquinas College.

The semifinal matchup will provide Indiana Tech an opportunity to avenge its narrow 32-29 loss to Aquinas earlier this season.