UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Men’s Rugby kicked off their spring season in thrilling fashion, edging out Mary Washington 41-34 in a high-scoring battle at home. The match was a back-and-forth affair, featuring multiple lead changes, but Penn State’s resilience and defensive grit in the closing stages secured the victory.
The Nittany Lions started strong, with prop Cole Stoeppelwerth making an immediate impact, scoring twice—first with a powerful pick-and-go and then off a quick tap. Fellow prop Anthony Dabao also crashed over the line with a quick pick-and-go effort, while scrumhalf Lorenzo Zamel added two conversions and a penalty to give Penn State a narrow 22-21 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Penn State lean on their dominant forward pack, with hooker Adam Bilbo finishing off two textbook maul tries to keep the home side in front. Zamel capped off a standout individual performance by crossing the try line himself, further extending the lead.
Despite Mary Washington’s attacking pressure, Penn State’s defense held firm in the final minutes to close out the win. Head coach Zac Mizell praised his team’s resilience, stating, “It was a back-and-forth match with multiple lead changes throughout. We showed great resilience battling back for the lead, and I was very proud of the defensive effort to close out the game. We are glad to have the Sheehy Cup coming back to Happy Valley!”
With momentum on their side, Penn State now sets their sights on a tough test against Navy at home in University Park this weekend.