Emmitsburg, MD (October 26, 2024) – The men's rugby team won a hard-fought battle against Belmont Abbey Saturday morning, 41-32.

The Mount started the scoring early, with a Hayden McKay try less than 20 seconds into the game. Pulling through on the kick, Evan Corbett put the conversion through the uprights. Scoring for the Mount didn't stop there though, as Kiahi Horan scored a try three minutes later. After a missed conversion the Mount added to the lead, 12-0. The star of today's game, Xavier Lock, scored his first try of the day giving the Mount their third unanswered score. After a missed conversion, the Mount held the 17-0 lead. Belmont was able to retaliate against the barrage from the Mountaineers, scoring their first try of the day with 24 minutes remaining in the first half. The wind played a factor in the kicks today, as Belmont Abbey also missed their conversion. Xavier Lock added to his count as he scored another try with 17 minutes remaining in the half. Corbett made his kick giving the Mount a 19 point lead, 24-5. Belmont Abbey was able to take advantage of a yellow card on the Mount, scoring a try with eight minutes remaining in the half, making their conversion and bringing them closer to the Mounts lead. The game got chippy, as Belmont Abbey received their own yellow card for an illegal hit in the last minutes of the half. The Mount attempted a penalty kick to end the half but missed, sending the Mount into the half with the lead 24-12.
 
Belmont Abbey came out firing, scoring a try with seven minutes off the clock in the second half and after the conversion, brings them within five points of the Mountaineers. The Mount fought though, with Hayden McKay scoring his second try of the day. After another Corbett kick, the Mount held the lead 31-19. Belmont Abbey scored two tries unanswered but missed both conversions are missed, allowing the Mount to hold onto their lead, 31-29. After the tries, the Crusaders made a penalty kick to put them up for the first time of the game, 32-31. The Mount then hit their own penalty kick to take back the lead, 34-32. Xavier Lock put the nail in the coffin for the Crusaders with a try with 20 seconds remaining. A Corbett conversion sealed the deal for the Mount, giving them the win.