Army West Point held off Penn State in a Rugby East clash, taking down the Nittany Lions 43-29.

Paced by three tries from Koikoi Nelligan, the Black Knights are now 4-0 on the season and 3-0 in conference play.

It was an intense contest throughout. Army got on the scoreboard early with a try from Dominic Tianga, converted by Sean McNulty. Penn State answered with a penalty goal from Dalton Musselman. Nelligan scored his first after that, but Penn State answered with tries from Noah Smith and then another to lead 17-14. Army was behind for the first time all season. 

But indiscipline hurt PSU and two yellow cards in quick succession put them on the back foot somewhat. Steven Rohde and Nelligan once more both scored just before halftime to stake Army to a 26-17 lead.

But in the second half Penn State executed a very nicely-taken backline try with Giancarlo Nastasi finishing it off. Musselman was good on the conversion and it was 26-24 for Army. Once again West Point replied, with Nolan Green going over. Musselman faked a kick and bamboozled the defense for go in for Penn State's fourth try, but then Army saw Drew Dunham and Nelligan again go in for tries and a 43-29 win.

Army is now 3-0 in the Rugby East and now has Kutztown on October 16 and then Navy October 23 as the curtain-raiser to the USA vs New Zealand test match (tickets>>) .

Penn State now sits at 1-1.