Longwood University of Farmville, Va., beat the Occidental men's rugby team 36-27 in the final match of the National Small College Rugby Organization National Championship in Virginia Beach on May 1.
The Tigers advanced to the championship match after downing the Ithaca College Bombers of New York 18-5 in the April 30 semi-final.
By dominating the Bombers -- the Tigers led 18-0 at the half -- the Tigers extended their perfect regular season record, the first time the Oxy men have gone undefeated since 1979. Longwood, which finished third at the national championships in 2007 and 2009, advanced to the final by defeating Salve Regina University of Newport, RI, 27-22, in their semi-final match.
This is believed to be Oxy's first trip ever to a national championship. The Tigers went 7-0 and captured the Southern California championship during the regular season, which included victories over the University of Michigan and Loyola Marymount. Founded in 1965, Oxy Rugby is the oldest club sport at Occidental.
The Norfolk Blues RFC hosted the National Championships at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex Stadium on April 30-May 1.
