Senior wing-forward Jon Nichols lunged head-first into the try zone, scoring what may have been the most exciting trys this season. His score capped a 23-0 outburst that guided the Penn State men's rugby club to a 23-9 victory over George Mason at the Penn State rugby fields on Saturday.

The win was the Ruggers' seventh of the spring season and first home contest since the fall semester. The Ruggers won three games to capture the Fort Lauderdale International Rugby Tournament Championship over spring break and have defeated Pitt-City men's rugby club, Catholic University, Towson State and George Mason. Its only loss was at Tennessee on the road home from spring break.

In preparation for the United States Rugby Association national championships, the Ruggers have kept a rigorous schedule with hopes of representing the Midwest Region in winning fashion.

"That's what motivates me," senior second row player Greg Brandwene said. "Before games, that's what I try to key up on --gotta play, gotta make it (to nationals)."

Freshman back Brian Anson had raced down the sidelines, dodging defenders before tossing the ball to senior outside-center Jesse Schlegel. Schlegel caught the ball, stiff-armed a George Mason would-be tackler, spun 360-degrees and flicked the ball to Nichols for the game's second and final try.

Shortly before halftime, senior wing-forward Tim Finnerty scored on one of the most unusual trys of the rugby season. A George Mason player booted the ball off a teammate's head and it ricocheted into the back of the try zone. Finnerty recovered to give the Ruggers an 18-0 lead.

George Mason scored all nine points on three field goals.

In other action:

The women's rugby club suffered a 10-3 defeat at the hands of defending national champion Connecticut. The game was revenge for UConn, who lost to Penn State, 20-0 in the fall and a possible preview for the national championships. The Lady Ruggers were without several key players: Scrum-half Tricia Chipeleski (death in the family), hooker Karen Wasilewski (partially torn medial collateral ligament in her knee), Margaret Jansen (fractured hand) and Ann Hollendoner, who was injured during the game and wore a sling afterward.

UConn Coach Matthew Miller called the wind the deciding factor.

"We knew in the second half that the wind would tire their backs," Miller said, "and our pack took it from there to win the rucks."