Men’s Rugby Earn First 15s Win in Four Years

Potsdam, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College Men's Rugby Team won their first Rugby 15s match in over four years as they defeated SUNY Potsdam 64-10 on Saturday.

Gianni Santonastaso (Hillsboro, NJ) led the way for the Bobcats, scoring five trys in the win, earning Man of the Match for his stellar play.

After Santonastaso's 60-meter run to put the Bobcats up 5-0, the Bears got two trys before the end of the first half to go up 10-5.  But the Bobcats wouldn't be denied their first victory in nearly a half decade, as they scored nine trys in the second half.  

In addition to Santonastaso's five, Quinn Barbeau (Pownal, VT), Derek Grant (Potsdam, NY), Dominic Case (West Winfield, NY), Nolan Gardner (Rossie, NY), and Eli Espinosa (Idaho Falls, ID) all scored trys in Saturday's match.  Griffen Johnson (Rome, NY) converted 7/11 kicks for 14 points as the Bobcats earned the win.

"The guys have been working extremely hard to better understand the game, and Saturday it all started to come together," said Pat Romeo, head coach of the team.

The win is a great step forward for the once-dominant Bobcats in collegiate as they look to get back to competing at a high level in Rugby 15s.

Next up for the Bobcats is a game against SUNY Plattsburgh on Saturday, October 12th at the Brighton Field in Gabriels, NY.

You can follow the rugby team on Instagram at @pscmensrugby or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for scores, schedules, updates, and more!

Anyone who is interested in trying out for the team please contact Pat Romeo at promeo@paulsmiths.edu.

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.