In the first match of their 2021 season, the Penn State Nittany Lions Men's Rugby team traveled to Virginia to take on the University of Mary Washington. In a tightly contested game, the Lions edged out Mary Washington to win 28-26.
After two early tries by Mary Washington, a spirited comeback led by the two try effort of prop John O'Toole leveled the scores with the teams going into halftime tied at 14-14.
The Lions came out strong in the second half with O'Toole again setting the tone by crossing the line for his third try of the day. The junior prop from Annapolis, Maryland, would later be awarded Man of the Match for his hattrick performance.
Later in the half the Nittany Lions again managed to break through Mary Washington's defensive line and score their last try of the day, with 1st Year hooker Adam Bilbo picking up the points on debut.
Captain Dalton Musselman pushed the Lions over the line with his perfect conversion rate of 4/4 , making all the difference in giving the Lions the extra two points to secure the win.
After the first side's victory the Lion's second team secured another strong win, beating Mary Washington 28-12.
The Nittany Lion's second team also experienced a close first half with only one try by 1st Year center Aidan Malley, also on debut, going into halftime tied 7-7.
The Lions came out strong in the second half with three other 1st Years on debut crossing the line. Flanker Tristan Sommerville, scrumhalf Deke Behnam, and center Ian DiPangrazio all scored their first try to get the team their 28 points.
The second side also had a perfect conversion rate with captain Nate Hensel going 1/1 and Deke Benham 3/3.
Hensel would go on to be awarded man of the match with the veteran back leading the team to victory with a spirited performance at flyhalf.
