Chicago Hounds cap first-ever undefeated MLR season, win franchise’s first MLR Championship

Chicago’s professional rugby team achieved Major League Rugby (MLR) history at a rain-soaked SeatGeek Stadium in the southwest suburbs on Sunday.

The Chicago Hounds took down the California Legion, 35-17, to capture the first undefeated season (12-0) in league history and clinch the team’s first MLR title. The Hounds’ Lucas Rumball earned Man Of The Match honors in front of a crowd of more than 4,400 and a nationally televised audience.

The Hounds took advantage of an early penalty by the Legion, as Chris Hilsenbeck converted a penalty kick goal to open up scoring. Minutes later, Theo Fourie scored his eleventh try of the season to extend the lead to 10 points.

After California’s Colby Miln converted a penalty kick goal to pull within seven, the Hounds’ Mason Flesch pushed the lead to 17-3 with a try to close out the scoring in the first half.

Hilsenbeck’s second penalty kick goal of the match nudged the lead to 20-3, and minutes later Peyton Wall’s third try of the season gave Chicago a 25-3 lead. The Hounds continued to pour it on in the second half with Nathan den Hoedt registering a try to put Chicago ahead 32-3.

Miln’s try and subsequent conversion at the 60-minute mark, followed by a try by Ed Timpson five minutes later enabled the Legion to cut the lead down to 32-10. The Hounds, however, reclaimed momentum and wound down time as they put the finishing touches on an undefeated season.