Torpedoed

Speedy Midshipmen capsize Ruggers 47-14

In the first half of its game against Navy on Saturday, the Penn State men's rugby team was standing right in front of the try zone with an opportunity to tie the game at 14.

But the Midshipmen stood strong and denied the Ruggers in the first of several successful defensive stands. Navy's goal line defense would become the story of the game as it went on to overrun Penn State 47-14.

Before Navy put up a wall in front of the try zone, Penn State jumped out to a strong start scoring the first try of the game when center Paul Sochocky streaked down the sideline and ran into the try zone.

The Ruggers came out strong at the start of the second half when wing Scott Davis entered the try zone making the score 21-14, but it was just too much Navy. The Midshipmen sealed the victory with four consecutive tries before the day was through.

Rugger second row Greg Gooch said the team played Navy tough for most of the game, but not the whole game.

"We played well at times," Gooch said, "but we had a few breakdowns and couldn't finish."

Navy coach Mike Flanagan said he was shocked with how many times he saw his team in the try zone.

"We scored more points than I thought we were going to," Flanagan said. "Penn State played well today, but we were a little bit faster and put more points on the board."

Flanagan said Navy's All-American prop Jeff Immel and second row Nick Kalt were two key players during the game. Gooch went up against Immel during the game and said he was impressed.

"He's tough competition," Gooch said. "It's good to go up against people like that, because you evaluate where your game is at."

Navy is one of the 16 teams competing for the rugby national championship later this season and Flanagan said playing Penn State is a good tune-up for what his players has ahead of them.

"This was a great test," Flanagan said. "It's a good deal for us to come up and play against these guys."

Despite the final score, Ryland said he was pleased with the overall effort and intensity the Ruggers showed throughout the game. He added Penn State faced one of the better Navy teams he has seen in the past four years.

"We need more games like this so we can become a stronger team," Ryland said.

The Ruggers will pack their bags and head to New York next weekend to face the New York Athletic Club.

many times he saw his team in the try zone.

"We scored more points than I thought we were going to," Flanagan said. "Penn State played well today, but we were a little bit faster and put more points on the board."

Flanagan said Navy's All-American prop Jeff Immel and second row Nick Kalt were two key players during the game. Gooch went up against Immel during the game and said he was impressed.

"He's tough competition," Gooch said. "It's good to go up against people like that, because you evaluate where your game is at."

Navy is one of the 16 teams competing for the rugby national championship later this season and Flanagan said playing Penn State is a good tune-up for what his players has ahead of them.

"This was a great test," Flanagan said. "It's a good deal for us to come up and play against these guys."

Despite the final score, Ryland said he was pleased with the overall effort and intensity the Ruggers showed throughout the game. He added Penn State faced one of the better Navy teams he has seen in the past four years.

"We need more games like this so we can become a stronger team," Ryland said.

The Ruggers will pack their bags and head to New York next weekend to face the New York Athletic Club.