KUTZTOWN, Pa. – On Oct. 22, the Falcons upset conference rivals Kutztown University, in a thrilling 40-39 victory.

The Falcon Flock traveled six hours and were on the hunt against the Golden Bears. At the end of the first half, Kutztown led 17-12. Riccardo De Stefani and Killian Burns scored the first tries for the Falcons.

The NDC defense bent but did not break when KU came out with a hot start in the second half. KU went up 22-12 with a try. However, a 50-22 kick by Lachy McDonald put NDC in scoring position. As a result of this, a try was awarded by Edward Arens to make the score, 22-19.

KU responded with another try with their forwards to take a commanding lead, 29-19.

NDC captain Hugh Johnston set up a beautiful try for Fadzai Mushonga to make the score, 29-26. The Falcons received high praise for clawing out of the deficit behind Kutztown, late in the second half. The Falcon defense tightened up as their forwards went right at KU to take the lead 33-29.

In the final minutes of the game, KU punched in a try to put them ahead, 34-33. The Golden Bears held up the Falcons in the try zone and went down the field to score again, making it 39-33.

The tensions were high in the last minute. NDC got a lineout off a KU penalty and went to work. The Falcon forwards battled towards the goal line with no time left on the clock. Scrumhalf Christian Dickens waited patiently and threw a great ball to his winger, Fadzai Mushonga to set them up with another try, making the score 39-38 in favor of Kutztown. McDonald set up for the conversion as the Kutztown crowd was trying to figure out how to distract him. With ice in his veins, he put it through the uprights to win the game 40-39.

To read the recap from the Goff Rugby Report, which includes a video of the final NDC score, click here. 

Notre Dame will be home this weekend to battle Queens University of Charlotte, on Oct. 29. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.