BOYDS, Md. – The Indiana Tech rugby program took another step forward this past weekend, competing in the National Collegiate Rugby Championship in Boyds, Maryland. Marking the program's first appearance at the national tournament and just its second season of 7s competition, the Warriors faced a 32-team national field and gained valuable experience against top-tier opposition.
 
Indiana Tech opened tournament play against top-seeded Wheeling University Rugby, the back-to-back national champions in 2024 and 2025, who would go on to secure the 2026 title. The Warriors fell 45–0 in their opening match.
 
Later on Friday, Indiana Tech faced Siena College. The Warriors found a key opportunity late in the first half, holding a significant numerical advantage as Siena was reduced to three players due to multiple yellow card infringements. Indiana Tech capitalized, with freshman Drew Stauffer scoring the program's first-ever try at a national tournament to pull the Warriors back within a score. Dakota Faulkner added the conversion.
 
Despite the momentum, early mistakes forced Indiana Tech to chase the game, and Siena's experience showed in the second half as the Warriors fell 33–7.
 
The loss moved Indiana Tech into the Shield bracket, where the Warriors delivered their most complete performance of the weekend in a 29–19 victory over Iona University in the quarterfinals.
 
Indiana Tech struck immediately, scoring what was described as one of the fastest tries of the tournament. Off the opening kickoff, Dakota Faulkner delivered a high, hanging restart that was secured by Ashton Skarie, who quickly offloaded to Aveairre White. White crossed the line less than 20 seconds into the match to give the Warriors an early spark.
 
Iona responded, and Indiana Tech entered halftime trailing 12–10, with additional points coming from a try by freshman Maxwell Ledbetter.
 
The Warriors surged in the second half. Just one minute in, Aveairre White broke free again, weaving through defenders on a long run to score, with Faulkner converting to reclaim the lead. Noah Allen added another try at the 12-minute mark, extending the advantage.
 
The final blow came late, as team captain Ashton Skarie delivered a dominant 60-meter breakaway, finishing through contact with a stiff arm before touching down. Faulkner added the conversion as time expired, sealing a 29–19 victory and the program's first win at a national tournament.
 
On Saturday, Indiana Tech matched up with Air Force Academy in the Shield semifinals, falling 21–0. The Warriors closed out the tournament against Virginia Tech in the Shield consolation match, where they were defeated 20–0.
 
Indiana Tech finished 28th out of 32 teams in the national field.
 
The Warriors' roster featured a young group, including one junior, five sophomores, and nine freshmen. Competing against some of the most established programs in collegiate rugby, Indiana Tech showed flashes of quality and resilience throughout the weekend.
 
This season marked the program's first full academic year competing in both 15s in the fall and 7s in the spring. With a strong incoming class and the majority of the roster set to return, the experience gained on the national stage provides a clear foundation moving forward.
 
Team captain Ashton Skarie reflected on the group's performance: "We learned a lot about ourselves this weekend. The results weren't always there, but the effort never dropped. Our win over Iona showed what we're capable of when we play our game. For a young team, this experience is only going to make us better."
 
Head coach Sam DiFilippo reflected on the weekend and what it means for the program moving forward: "This weekend showed us exactly where we stand and what it takes to compete at the highest level. We're a young group, and we took some hard lessons, but we also proved we can create moments against veteran programs. We are going to take this experience, work on closing the gap, and come back better next spring."
 
Match Results & Stats

Match 1 – vs. Wheeling (L, 0–45)
No scoring
 
Match 2 – vs. Siena (L, 7–33)
Try: Drew Stauffer
Conversion: Dakota Faulkner
 
Match 3 – vs. Iona (W, 29–19)
Tries: Aveairre White (2), Maxwell Ledbetter, Noah Allen, Ashton Skarie
Conversions: Dakota Faulkner (2)
 
Match 4 – vs. Air Force (L, 0–21)
No scoring
 
Match 5 – vs. Virginia Tech (L, 0–20)
No scoring
 
Tournament Totals
Record: 1–4
Points For: 36
Points Against: 138
Tries: 6
Conversions: 3