Game Summary

Site: University Park, Pa. (West Campus Pitch)
Score: No. 6 Davenport 13, No. 5 Penn State 15
Next DU event: Saturday, Nov. 2 – at Wheeling Jesuit  – 3 p.m.
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The men's rugby team had another tough test this weekend as they traveled to Penn State to take on anther opponent who sits in the top five of the D1A Rugby Ranking. Head coach Kruger VanBiljon looked to continue the success that they had last weekend as they won both matches they played. However, they were unable to do so as the No. 5 Nittany Lions escaped with a 15-13 victory. The Panthers will be action next weekend as they travel to Wheeling, W.Va., to play Wheeling Jesuit on Saturday, November 2nd at 3 p.m.
 
Davenport fell behind early in the match and Penn State was able to put a try on the board just seven minutes into the games. After the Nittany Lions took a 5-0, DU came back eight minutes later with a try from Roman Mares to tie the game at five. Brady Gent looked to give the Panthers the lead with a conversion, but he just missed the attempt. Five minutes later, Gent had another chance to give the Panthers lead with a penalty kick, but missed the penalty kick.
 
Halfway through the first half, the score was deadlocked at five points a-piece. At the 28-minute mark, Gent had another chance at a penalty kick, and he made the attempt this time to give the Panthers an 8-5 heading into half time.
 
The second half opened like the first with Penn State scoring another to open the half, but this time the Nittany Lions converted on the conversion attempt to take a 12-8 advantage. Less than ten minutes later Penn State had another chance to put points on the board on board with a penalty kick, and they converted to increase their lead to 15-8.
 
DU looked to complete a comeback, as Mason Baum scored a try for the Panthers with eight minutes left in the game. Sondai Adjei took the conversion attempt looking to tie the game, but Adjei missed the attempt and DU trailed 15-13. The Panthers looked to score in a last ditch effort to win the game, but Penn State stood tall to secure the 15-13 win.  
 
The Panthers drop to 3-2 on the season, and they will be on the road again next weekend as they travel to Wheeling, W. Va. They will match up against Wheeling Jesuit on Saturday, November 2nd at 3 p.m.
 
Men's Rugby Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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