By Scott Michaelis | 10.20.18

Cleveland Crusaders DII 14 – 18 Buffalo Rugby

Selections:
Backs:
15) Michael Piazza 14) Steve Fritsch 13) Everett Chambers 12) Siosiua Vaiangina 11) Michael Ciccolini 10) Billy Regan 9) Nick Musarra
Forwards:
8) Doug Rawlings 7) Preston Lowden 6) Zach Webb 5) Spencer Duncan 4) Joe Brown 3) Justin Isaac 2) Mark Viviani 1) Dane Szente
Reserves:
16) Tom Nemeth 17) Trent Szente 18) Justin Rutledge 19) Terry Kilbane 20) Dom Mauer

Tries: Brown, Regan
Conversions: D. Szente (2)
Penalty Kicks: —

The DII side traveled to Buffalo to take on Buffalo Rugby losing a close battle 18-14. Buffalo put early pressure on Cleveland, jumping out to a 10-0 lead by the 30th minute. The Crusaders closed out the half strong with a try by Joe Brown that was converted by Dane Szente to help close the gap down 10-7 at the half. Back and forth tries saw a close score of 15-14 in Buffalo’s favor at the 60th minute. Buffalo added a penalty kick to make the score 18-14. Currently, the Crusaders are in 2nd place in the Great Lakes region looking for a victory over last-place South Buffalo to secure a playoff spot.

Cleveland Crusaders DIII 38 – 29 Pittsburgh Forge DIII

Selections:
Backs:
15) David DiFrancesco 14) Joe Sessin 13) Steve Burke 12) Joe Wollerman 11) Nick Ager 10) Grant Woods 9) Scott Michaelis
Forwards:
8) Miles Papa 7) Ryan Sands 6) Zach Lyons 5) Frank Vitale 4) Tony Sessin 3) Steve Dine 2) John Kern 1) Dominic Matteo
Reserves:
16) Jimmy Vala 17) Allen Lee 18) Mark Staron 19) John Kearns 20) Steven Anthony 21) Ben Szmigielski 22) Colt Irvin 23) Jason Denk

Tries: Wollerman, DiFrancesco (3), Lyon, J. Sessin
Conversions: Wollerman (3)
Penalty Kicks: —

DIII hosted Pittsburgh Forge DIII in the first round of the Midwest East Region playoffs. The Crusaders got off to a hot start, taking full advantage of the wind at their backs in the first half. A flurry of tries was scored by Joe Wollerman, David DiFrancesco and Zach Lyon saw the Crusaders take a 26-12 lead into the half. The Forge clawed back in the second half, with a late try bringing the score as close as 31-29. A final try by David DiFrancesco with only a few minutes left put the game out of reach. The win sees the Crusaders traveling to Erie, PA to take on the Presque Isle Scallywags for the Midwest East crown.