UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – In the rain on a very busy weekend on campus, the Penn State Rugby team scored early and often against the visitors from St. Bonaventure. After a close win last year playing in western New York at St. Bonaventure, the home team left no doubt about the score line this year.
Penn State (5-0, 3-0 Rugby East) ran in 11 tries from 7 different players, despite the rainy cold conditions. St Bonaventure (1-3, 1-3 Rugby East) scored 4 tries themselves and kept pressing the whole game. The home team was paced by 3 tries from lock Ryan McNulty and two a piece from number 8 Chris Burian and flyhalf Mike Dabulas.
“I was impressed by the execution of this St. Bonaventure team,” said Penn State Head Coach Blake Burdette. “You can tell they are very well coached but also pretty young. I am encouraged by the way that we are playing as we continue to get better as a team. On to Buffalo now”
Next up is an away match against Buffalo tomorrow Saturday October 1st at 1:30 PM. It’s a quick turnaround and the depth of Penn State will be tested with a whole new team starting against the Bulls.
Penn State Lineup v St. Bonaventure: 1. James Anderson, 2. Cory Klems (Leon Patel-Champion @65), 3. Zach Barnes (Jordan Crofts @55), 4. Ryan McNulty (Danny Featherston @60), 5. Leo Van Buskirk, 6. Rob Irimescu, 7. Malcolm May© (Colin Assadinia @ 60), 8. Chris Burian, 9. Jim Ronan (Kyle Crawford @70), 10. Thomas Del Pino, 11. Mike Eife (Ethan Walkowiak @70), 12. Selby Niu, 13. Joe Kelly, 14. Brad Pechin (Michael Dabulas @30), 15. Jimmy Haley
Penn State 69
Tries: McNulty 3, Burian 2, Del Pino, Kelly, Dabulas 2, Irimescu, Haley
Conversions: Ronan 7
Penalties: None
St. Bonaventure 24
Tries: 4
Conversions: 2
Penalties: None
