By Chad Wise
Courtesy USA Rugby

CARY, N.C. -- Saint Mary's rebounded from a loss in the D1A Rugby final earlier this month to win the 2016 USA Rugby Men's Division I College 7s National Championship at WakeMed Soccer Park Sunday.

Dylan Audsley followed up a hat-trick performance in the 19-12 semifinal defeat of Arizona State with a leader's performance in the final against an American International team that has proved its sevens pedigree over the years.

AIC almost pulled off the comeback but great D by Saint Mary's saves their lead! Saint Mary's are your DI Champions! https://t.co/w7axav8jKc

— USA Rugby (@USARugby) May 29, 2016

Coached by SMC graduates Kingsley McGowan and Joey Reavey in the absence of Head Coach Tim O'Brien, the Gaels did not dwell on a semifinal exit at College 7s in 2015 nor the end of their D1A final streak.

"We are always continually working," Audsley, the Dave Sitton Memorial Trophy winner as Most Valuable Player of the Men's DI final, said. "Every game is a new game.

"The coaching is phenomenal. We've got guys coming through the program, graduating, and becoming coaches themselves. They're standout guys."

The Yellow Jackets put the first points up on the board in Cup Final and nearly had the last say in the dying seconds after Saint Mary's had taken 7-5 lead, which it had held at the half-time break. Christian Adams brought the crowd in Cary to its feet with a run down the wing as time ticked away, and used his strength to fend off multiple Gaels on his way into the in-goal area.

Showing their championship caliber, the Saint Mary's defenders held up the attacker in the try zone and won the ensuing five-meter scrum to end the game and secure the National Championship.