University Park, PA - On Saturday, 16 October the Penn State Men's Rugby team played host to St. Bonaventure on a wonderful Friends and Family weekend. In a tightly contested match the Lions fell just short 19-15 to a strong Bonnies outfit.
The match was very much back and forth with the rain impacting the quality of play, as neither team really adjusted well to the conditions. Penn State struck first with a penalty converted by Dalton Musselman to go ahead 3-0. St. Bonaventure responded off the ensuing kick-off and scored an unconverted try to take the lead 3-5. A back and forth battle followed with both teams trading blows but unable to crack the score sheet. Just before half St. Bonaventure earned a penalty and went ahead 8-3 into the half.
The second half started much like the 1st ended with both teams struggling to get any continuity and the game moving from scrum to scrum with defenses holding strong. Thomas Treussard leveled the score, 8-8 with a try mid-way through the half off the back of some well worked phases. Bonnies responded with a penatly to take the lead again 11-8. Penn State responded well off the kick-off pressuring St. Bonaventure, forcing a penalty and worked the ball into the opposition 22m. Caleb Smith fought his way over the line to take the lead 15-11 with less than 10 minutes to play in the match.
With some handling errors and unfortunate penalties Penn State found ourselves back in our 22m. Trying to make something happen the ball was pushed wide, the bouncing ball was toed through by St. Bonventure who won the race to the line, 16-15 to Bonnies. With time expiring St. Bonaventure knocked over a penalty and took the victory 19-15.
Penn State will travel to Ohio State, Saturday, 23 October with kick-off set for 1pm.
