University Park, PA – In near perfect conditions in Charlotte, NC, Penn State Men's Rugby fell short by 2 points to Ohio State, 21-19.
The match was close all evening and included 6 lead changes throughout the contest.
Penn State opened the scoring with a try in the corner from Giancarlo Nastasi, Dalton Musselman added the conversion, 7-0. OSU tied the match after an error off the kick receipt gave them good field position, 7-7.
Some ill-discipline led to an OSU penalty and the lead, 7-10. Penn State turned around and responded with a line break from First Year Nicholas Bruno finding his way to the line and the lead for Penn State, 12-10. Threatening the OSU line again Penn State made a challenge down the blindside, an errand pass scooped up by Ohio State and an 80m run in regained the lead for the Buckeyes, 12-15.
The second half was a slow back and forth battle, both teams defending well and not allowing any space for the attack. OSU extended the lead after a Penn State penalty, 12-18. Late in the half off some well worked phase play, Penn State put in another try in the corner through Michael Wein, converted by Dalton Musselman and another lead change, 19-18. A penalty off the ensuing kick-off gave Ohio State a very kickable penalty, which they did and regained the lead and in the end the win, 19-21.
An exciting and well played match from both teams, in the end The Nittany Lions just running out of time.
The team will take a break now for final exams and return in the Spring with a few more fifteens games on the schedule before moving into a short sevens season.
