KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Southern Virginia University rugby team traveled to Pennsylvania on Saturday, to face a tough Kutztown University team, ranked third in the National Collegiate Rugby poll.
It proved to be a physical and competitive match, with the Knights playing their best game of the season to date, holding the lead on the scoreboard until the very last minute in the game.
With the advantage of possession in the first half, the Knights were able to take an early lead after
Michael Golden scored a try and
O'Shea Settle made the conversion.
The second try of the first half came from Wei Stanton with Settle again completing the conversion, giving Southern Virginia a 14-7 lead heading into halftime.
The second half was much like the first, with both teams getting on the scoreboard. The Knights scored two more tries in the second half.
O'Shea Settle was able to get on the scoresheet again, this time scoring a try and winger
Tate Lewis converted the second try for Southern Virginia, with
Alex Kennach adding the conversion.
The Golden Bears would kick a penalty with one-minute left in the game, giving them the 27-26 lead. Kutztown would hold on to win the game after a thrilling affair.
After the game, head coach
David Smyth said "the boys put in a great performance today, the effort was definitely there. We just need to be a little more clinical in certain areas of the field. We are getting better and the hard work is beginning to pay off."
The Knights have a bye week, giving them extra time to prepare for the first of four home matches in a row when they take on Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, October 8.
Follow @knight_rugby on Instagram for more updates and details on the team.
SVU team vs Kutztown
1.
Sione Ofa, 2.
Carlos Duran, 3. Vita Faletau, 4. Tane Tupou, 5.
Gavin Smyth, 6.
Jayden Settle, 7. Nate Roeback, 8.
Alex Kennach, 9.
Josh Nelson, 10. Wei Stanton 11.
Tate Lewis, 12. Oshea Settle, 13. Pone Aisea, 14.
Michael Golden, 15.
Ami Manu, 16. Matt Rosson, 17.
Ammon Uasilaa, 18.
Brycen Harris, 19.
Sione Tokelau, 20.
Sikeli Naivalu, 21. Kai Burke, 22. Parris Reavis, 23.
Ethan Ashton
