University Park, PA - Penn State Men's rugby struggled to get their attack going today as they fell 15-23 to a hard working Notre Dame College team.
While the Lions spent majority of the first half of the match in the NDC half of the field, this did not transfer to the scoreboard. It took 17 minutes for the defensive standstill to be broken when NDC earned a penalty in the Penn State half and went ahead 0-3. Two minutes later PSU responded with a penalty from Dalton Musselman to level the score. Nicholas Bruno found space 5 minutes later and after a nicely worked chip and chase dotted down to extend the lead 8-3. Ill-discipline hurt the Lions as they gave up a penalty and three points in the 25th minute. The remainder of the first half was back and forth and Penn State walked into half-time ahead, 8-6.
NDC dominated the opening minutes after the break, off several missed tackles NDC were able to capitalize and jump ahead 8-16. Penn State rebounded with a try of their own off a well worked lineout to maul, Adam Bilbo crashed over, and Dalton Musselman converted. Keeping the match within 1 point, 15-16 Penn State looked to be threatening, but NDC pounced on an opportunity and a converted try with 15 minutes to go gave them the advantage and lead, 15-23.
The defensive stalemate returned and with fatigue setting in neither team could convert line breaks or opportunities and in the end Notre Dame College walked away victors.
A tough season for the Lions as they end conference play 3-6. The team will have one more opportunity to play this Fall as they take on Ohio State in the D1A Bowl Series in Charlotte, NC, 3 December at 7:00pm.
