WEST POINT, NY – For the first time since the 2006 competitive season, the Penn State Men’s Rugby team went to West Point and came away victors. The game was played in ideal conditions and was as physical as a contest can get. “We were in a dog fight today,” said Head Coach Blake Burdette. “It was a physical match, but I’m sure the boys will take that whenever you win the game.”

Penn State (7-0, 5-0 Rugby East) scored off the opening kickoff after receiving a penalty, which was made by scrumhalf Jim Ronan. After some back and forth play for the next 18 minutes lock Ryan McNulty had a nice offload to set up wing Connor Cassidy to put it down for the first try of the game. Ronan converted the try which put the visitors up 10-0. After some good phase work they got on the board again when captain and flanker Malcolm May carried it over for the try and the 15-0 lead. Two penalties from Army flyhalf Jon Kim made the halftime score 15-6.

The second half opened with the same amount of intensity, but saw the Penn State take control of possession. In the 57th minute, the Nttany Lions would get back on the board when May took the ball from the back of a ruck for they try and Ronan’s conversion made the score 22-6. May then got his third try of the afternoon in the 79th minute after some determined pick and go’s from the ruck. Ronan hit his third conversion of the day on a tough angle to put the game away and secure the bonus point for a 29-6 lead. Army (6-1, 5-1 Rugby East) found the try line with no time left to end the game 29-13.

“I was proud of the boys today. They were determined and didn’t give in. They are buying in and aren’t accepting being average,” Burdette added

The team will travel to New Rochelle, NY to take on Iona College next. The match with the Gaels is set for Saturday October 15th at 1 PM at Mazzella Field on Iona’s campus.

Penn State Lineup v Buffalo: 1. Jordan Crofts (Leon Patel-Champion @73), 2. Cory Klems (Tom Capriotti @63), 3. Zach Barnes, 4. Ryan McNulty (Ryan Cornell @79), 5. Jack McLean (Leo Vanbuskirk @47), 6. Rob Irimescu, 7. Malcolm May (Oren Patel-Champion @79), 8. Chris Burin, 9. Jim Ronan, 10. Mike Dabulas, 11. Tyler May (Thomas Del Pino @23), 12. Selby Niumataiwalu, 13. Joe Kelly (Kiefer Kei-Boguinard @57), 14. Connor Cassidy (Nick Kirsch @76), 15. Jim Haley

 

Penn State 29

 Tries: Cassiday, M May 3

Conversions: Ronan 3

Penalties: Ronan

 

Army 13

 Tries: 1 (Malm-Annan)

Conversions: 1 (Kim)

Penalties: 2 (Kim)

 

Halftime: Penn State 15 Army 6

 

Share →

Leave a Reply

Skip to toolbar