Clemson, SC – Penn State Men's rugby made the long journey down to Clemson, SC for their pre-season match this weekend. A strong performance across the board saw the Lions over the Tigers 51-12.
The match was a perfect opportunity to test some combinations for the Lions and finalize some tweaks to the gameplan prior to heading in conference play, 16 September.
The Lions jumped out to a flying start, scoring 45 seconds into the match when Giancarlo Nastasi ran an excellent support line and dotted down, 5-0 Penn State. Aidan King followed up 2 minutes later and Stephen Hoey added the conversion, 12-0. Clemson responded with a break that set their number 8 off down the sideline and for their first try of the match. The Lions regrouped and extended the lead with tries from Dan Morariu (converted by Lorenzo Zamel), and Adam Bilbo, 24-7 Penn State. With ten minutes to go in the first half, Clemson pressured Penn State creating several penalties resulting in their final score of the match. Dan Morariu dotted down for his second, Lorenzo Zamel converted right before half. The Lions headed into the break with a comfortable 31-12 lead.
The second half was all Penn State, while the game did slower down a bit in the heat and as both teams tested some combinations and got some newcomers sometime in the match. Tries from William Bumbernick, Hunter White, Evan Wellers and Aidan McPaul rounded out the final 40+ minutes.
The team shifts focus to Army and conference play this coming weekend. The Black Knights host the Lions after taking on Trinity College from Dublin in a tough contest last Friday.
Come out and catch your Nittany Lions at West Point, 16 September as they travel to take on the Black Knights of Army at The Anderson Rugby Complex, 12:00pm.
The match will be livestreamed via Army's online video platform, KnightVision.
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Support the Teams donating to the PSU Rugby Booster Club or via The Nittany Lion Club (can also TEXT: PSUMRugby to 41444 to donate).
