Mike Petri has always been known to help shoulder the load for his team.

When the Penn State rugby team faced top-ranked Army at Holuba Hall all most two weeks ago, Petri knew that, once again, he would have to do something to help the team win.

But for this game, Petri went with just one good shoulder after spraining the rotator cuff and AC joint in his right shoulder against Trent University of Ontario on Feb 20.

"Sure, my shoulder bothered me during the game," Petri said. "But there was still a game to play."

The game, which Petri described as "hard hitting" and "intense," turned out to be a 20-15 win for the Ruggers.

Petri scored five points on a try and once again helped his team pick up the victory.

"In my experience in playing rugby this may have been the most memorable," Petri said. "The game was full of physicality, heart and intensity."

This time Petri managed to sprain his left shoulder in the process and left the game in the end with two injured shoulders.

Petri traveled with the team on its spring break trip to Texas, but did not play against Texas A&M.

The Ruggers lost that game 25-17.

"Both shoulders are still hurting a little," Petri said. "But there is nothing to be concerned about."

The team is still buzzing about the Army victory, but the coaches said they expected to win.

"After the game the coaches told us that we shouldn't be surprised by the win," Petri said. "We beat a top team but the way we compete it should be expected."

Army is seen as one of the fittest teams in the country because of their military training, so the Ruggers worked all week doing extra conditioning and training.

"We practiced our butts off," Petri said. "We were able to go up against a team like Army and compete of a full 80 minutes and win."

With this weekend's game against Doylestown cancelled, Petri now has an extra week to rest his shoulders before the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union playoffs in Virginia.

The Ruggers and Petri will not get the day off though, for they still have practice scheduled in place of the missed game.

"Our last game wasn't perfect," Petri said. "Of course there is always room for improvement."

Playing a team like Army gave the Ruggers an idea of what is to come in the playoffs and Petri hopes to continue to contribute to the team winning.

"I'll play through these bad shoulders if I have to," Petri said. "I just want to play rugby."