So close

While the University of South Carolina rugby program has a storied history, no Gamecock squad had ever reached the finals of a national championship game.

That script ended Saturday as USC faced a powerful Louisville squad in the D1AA finals for the 7s Collegiate Rugby Championship. The Gamecocks, who failed to muster any momentum in the first half, surrendered to the Cardinals 26-12.

But still, finishing national runner up and going 3-1 in a very strong 16-team field, is a salve on disappointing loss. And it established the program as an elite D1AA 7s program.

For the Gamecocks, the road to the finals was thrilling – and at times – in doubt.

After dispatching Temple 26-12, South Carolina faced a physical Western Michigan team. With the score knotted at 7-7, the Gamecocks, who suffered two yellow card violations, played heroic defense in the final two minutes to force overtime.

Then more heroics in sudden death. Senior Nick DuBois forced a Western Michigan turnover on the kick-off. Then, after a few phases, Charlie Dwyer broke the WMU line for a game-winning try.

The semis against Texas A&M also came down to the wire. The Aggies kept the Gamecocks on their back foot, building a 10-0 lead in the first half. But the second half belonged to the Gamecocks. Evan Deutsch, Charlie Dwyer and Grant Ruhlen found the try zone.

While Carolina’s normally reliant kicking game fell short (all conversions were missed), the Gamecocks slipped past the Aggies 15-0.

Dwyer, a sophomore who scored three trys during the event, was named to the D1-AA All-Conference team.

“It’s always tough falling short of your ultimate goal,” said Coach John Roberts. “But I’m so proud of the team. The guys were incredibly resilient.  We had our backs against the wall against Western Michigan and Texas A&M. But the guys fought back for their teammates.”

The Gamecocks close the 7s season with a 25-10-2 record.