BETHLEHEM, PA (April 6, 2019) -- The men's rugby team battled in a NSCRO 7s tournament at Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster on Saturday. The Monarchs made a deeper run in the playoff than any team has in program history, but they eventually fell in the third-place game to Loyola.

In their first game of the day, the Monarchs fell behind early to their budding rival, PSU-Berks. Facing a 14-0 deficit in the second half, King's was given a boost when Josh Williams scored the team's initial try of the day. However, that would be as deep as the Monarchs could cut into the Berks lead, ultimately falling 14-5.

Fighting for the playoff lives, the Monarchs put on an impressive showing against Ithaca College. Noah Cusatis struck first for King's in the first half, and a trio of tries from Skyler Smith, Josh Williams, and Brendan O'Brien in the game's final seven minutes put the game out of reach. With their 26-5 victory, the Monarchs locked up the #1 seed in their group going into tournament play.

For the third consecutive tournament, King's matched up with the host school in the first round of tournament play. Franklin & Marshall hung tough with the Monarchs, but King's ultimately was able to pull away, thanks in large part to a heroic effort from Joey Ferrone as time was wearing thin. Before Ferrone sealed the game, Kenny Navarro and Nick Ionatta each scored a try to lead the Monarchs' offensive attack. With the win, King's advanced to make the first semi-final of a NSCRO 7s tournament in program history.

The Monarchs faced Endicott College in the semi-final round, and the Gulls proved to be a sturdy opponent. They jumped out to a 22-0 lead in the first few minutes of the contest, and that would be all the offense needed in order to bounce King's from the winner's bracket. The Monarchs failed to score, and fell to fighting for third-place against Loyola of Maryland.

The third-place game got a bit out of hand early, and the Monarchs couldn't quite keep pace. Ian Prator and Nick Ionatta did their part to make a push in the second half, but otherwise King's had a difficult time punching it in. Loyola ended Kings' run in Lancaster, dropping the Monarchs 27-12.

King's will have another opportunity to punch their ticket to national play next Saturday, April 13, in Pittsburgh.