BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Southern Virginia University Men's Rugby team hosted the Rugby East 7's tournament on Saturday, finishing fourth out of 12 teams.

It took the Knights just 20 seconds to get on the board in game one of pool play against Dayton II, with Ami Manu cutting through the middle of the defense and then swinging the ball out wide to Sione Tokelau for the first try of the game. Michael Golden would add to the lead, weaving through the defense for an easy try. Then, Wei Stanton would convert the kick. Josh Nelson increased the advantage after cruising past the defense, and Stanton's kick would make the score 19-0. Stanton added a try just before the half, making the score 24-0. The second half began similarly to the first, with Michael Golden streaking down the sideline, leaving multiple defenders in the dust for his second try of the match. Ami Manu would break various tackles en route to another Southern Virginia try. Nelson added his second try following a dropped kick-off by the Flyers. Finally, Vita Tuitavake added to the lead, scoring a try after Stanton made an excellent pass. The ensuing kick would make the score 50-0 just before time expired.

The second pool play game saw Southern Virginia go up against the University of Virginia. The Knights again scored in under a minute, with Shea O'Settle tallying his first try of the tournament. Stanton would increase the advantage with a try and a conversion. Then, Vita Tuitavake made a wonderful play down the sideline, faking out a Cavalier defender and finding Sione Tokelau for another try. Stanton would get his brace after a wonderful forward kick, sprinting past the defenders to corral the ball and sliding into the try zone. Michael Golden would get on the board at the beginning of the second half, and the ensuing kick would increase the lead to 29. Kenton Parkin would add his first try of the day shortly after, ending the contest with a score of 34-0—the Knight's second consecutive shutout.

The third and final pool play match looked to be tightly contested, pitting the group's top two teams, with Columbia I also dominantly winning their first two matches. The Knights, however, would take control of the game early, getting on the board first with a Sione Tokelau try. Ami Manu would add a try, with Wei Stanton converting both kicks to take a 14-0 lead into the half. Stanton opened up the scoring in the second half with a great individual effort, increasing the Southern Virginia advantage. Josh Nelson made an excellent defensive play to set up another try for the Knights, scored by Vita Tuitavake. Nate Matis ran 70-plus yards after scooping up the ball for another try, and the ensuing conversion made the score 33-0. O'Shea Settle would seal the victory with a last-second try for a 38-0 win, the Knight's third straight shutout.

Southern Virginia advanced to the semifinals after earning the No. 1 seed for its outstanding play in the group stage, taking on the fourth-seeded Virginia Tech. The first half was intense, with each team scoring a try. Ami Manu tallied another try—his third of the day—to tie the game before the break. Virginia Tech scored a try to retake the lead with just under three minutes of play remaining. A great defensive effort would give possession back to the Knights just before the clock struck zero, giving the team one more chance to score. Wei Stanton weaved through the defense, breaking multiple tackles, before losing possession of the ball as three defenders converged, ending the match with a score of 10-5.

In the third-place game, Southern Virginia took on South Carolina. Both defenses shined in the opening minutes, with some big hits on both sides. The Gamecocks would open up the scoring, recording back-to-back tries before the half to take a 14-0 lead into the break. The Knights got off to a much better start in the second seven minutes of play. A try by O'Shea Settle and the ensuing conversion by Wei Stanton would cut the deficit to seven. Southern Virginia would tie the game at 14 after Stanton made a beautiful pass to Michael Golden, who found his way to the try zone. With all the momentum, the Knights looked to close out the game with a last-second try, but a knock-on would return possession to the Gamecocks, who would kick the ball out of bounds, ending regulation and sending the game to overtime. South Carolina would score on its first possession after a great offensive play in extra time.

For complete tournament results, visit https://rugbyeast.org/2023SevensSVU.html.

The Knights will now prepare for its next 7's tournament at the University of Maryland two weeks from now.

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University rugby, please visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_rugby on Instagram.