After repeating as USA Rugby sevens champions a couple weeks earlier, the Lions captured their first title at the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Sevens Championship (CRC 7's) with a 24-7 victory over UCLA June 3 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia.

Lindenwood never trailed in the final match as Chris Schoeman scored early in the first half.  Juan Pablo Aguirre booted a long conversion to give the Lions a 7-0 advantage, but a yellow card left Lindenwood shorthanded moments later and the Bruins capitalized with their own try and conversion to tie the game 7-7.  A UCLA yellow card gave the Lions a man-advantage and Nick Feakes dotted down to put Lindenwood ahead for good.  Aguirre converted for a 14-7 lead at the break.

The second half was a stalemate early until Deion Mikesell dodged several defenders and scored in the corner for the Lions.  The conversion went begging off of the post, but Lindenwood still led 19-7.  UCLA attempted a comeback and was driving, but an interception put the ball with the Lions offense and Nick Taylor sealed the win with the final try.

Lindenwood advanced to the championship match with a 17-7 win over nemesis Life University in the semifinals on Sunday.  Nick Feakes scored a hat trick of tries in the game to pace the Lions offense.  Two of the scores came in the first half, the latter after the horn blew.  The Running Eagles stayed in the match with a try and conversion early in the second half, but Feakes sealed the win and Aguirre added two points for the final margin.

Lindenwood impressed in the Cup quarterfinal match with a 22-0 shutout of Navy Sunday morning.  Feakes gave the Lions a lead in the first minute, followed by an Aguirre conversion, and then Wesley White crossed the line in the fifth minute for a 12-0 lead at the break.  Tries from Alex Augsburg and Mikesell in the second half clinched the victory.

Lindenwood started the CRC in Pool A and swept to the top spot with three straight wins.  The first was a 17-7 triumph over Mount St. Mary's (Md.) Saturday morning.  The Lions defeated their next opponent St. Joseph's 36-12 before tackling a stout Wisconsin squad 31-12 to secure nine points and a berth in the Cup bracket.

Lindenwood claimed its first CRC 7's title after advancing to the semifinals the year before in the first appearance for the Lions at the event.  The men's rugby program has now won five national championships and finishes the 2017-18 campaign with an overall record of 32-4.