Miserable conditions, poor playing fields and ankle-deep mud made the Washington Irish tournament a challenge for the Penn State men's rugby team.

The Ruggers were victorious in their first two games before being defeated by Ohio State, 17-10.

Penn State took on Loyola first, which they crushed by a score of 32-3. Next up was West Chester, who went scoreless as the Ruggers beat them 12-0.

The game against Ohio State didn't find the Ruggers as lucky, due to field conditions that were a major factor in the game.

"The games were all played under miserable conditions," coach Terry Ryland said. "There was little or no continuity in the attack. Balls were being dropped and you couldn't change your angles of run."

This proved to be a concern for Penn State who relies on their strong running game to help them win games.

"I believe the field conditions equalized a lot of things," Ryland said. "It affected us because we play a running, finesse, open game."

Senior Kirk Neubauer agreed with his coach.

"Field conditions were pretty terrible," he said. "It negated any kind of speed a team would have."

Neubauer also explained that John McGeachy's speed, which is an asset to the team, was affected by the mud, making it hard for him to make any kind of cuts. Ryland added, however, that McGeachy's kicking helped the Ruggers maintain territory all day.

While the mud challenged the Ruggers, the poor field conditions might have favored Ohio State, who has strength in their forwards.

"Our backs are definitely better than theirs and the field made it an even playing ground for backs," Neubauer said. "It negated what we really had a strength at."

Ryland said the Ohio State game was a game of field position and that when Penn State had field position, they were able to control the ball and score.

Ohio State scored off of a dropped ball in front of the try zone, due to a questionable call by the referee. Both Ohio State and Penn State's coaching staff agreed that there was inconsistency with the official's calls.

"It was hard for the kids to get a feel or a read for what he was calling," Ryland said.

Neubauer was upset with the call.

"We really can't complain about the refs," he said. "We got hosed on one call that gave them a penalty try, which gave them the win, but it's the ref's discretion every time. It really shouldn't matter. You've got to learn to play the ref."

He also said that they have to learn to adjust to the field conditions.

"You aren't always going to have every game be sunny days and nice fields," he said.

The Ruggers are going to put the Ohio State game behind them and prepare for Princeton this weekend, a team they have to beat to make it to the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union championships.

"We are a little disappointed," Ryland said. "We can learn from this and help us prepare for next weekend."