University Park, PA - On Saturday, 30 October, Penn State Men's Rugby returned to Rugby East Conference play at Home against Notre Dame College, in a strong effort the team were victorious 22-14 over NDC.
The game took sometime to really take shape as both teams battled with the elements once again. NDC opened the scoring midway through the first half when a few errors saw the Lions on their heels in the 22m. A few phases later NDC scored and converted to go ahead 7-0. It would stay that way for the remainder of the half, until halfback Giancarlo Nastasi siezed an opportunity off a poorly defended breakdown and sniped through to score under the posts. Dalton Musselman added the extras tying up the score into halftime.
The second half saw Penn State dominate the game scoring 2 tries and a penalty to just one try from NDC. Dalton Musselman opened the 2nd half early with a penalty, 10-7. Lochie Treister barreled his way over the line with Dalton Musselman adding the conversion and extending the lead 15-7. NDC answered back with a try to close the gap, 15-14. Dalton Musselman would have the final say after a great piece of individual brilliance, chipping the ball through which bounced off the upright and back into his own hands to score and convert to push PSU ahead 22-14 and the win.
The 2nd team put on another impressive performance and defeated NDC 19-5. Tries from Travis Preston, Nate Hensel and Zachary Ottinger and 2 from 3 off the tee from Deke Behnam.
The team will play host to The United States Naval Academy, 6 November at 12:00pm for the final home match of the regular season.
