POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., September 22, 2017 – The Monroe College men's rugby team shouldered its first loss of the 2017 campaign on Friday at Vassar College by a score of 30-20.
 
Vassar took an early 3-0 lead after a penalty at the Mustangs' 22-meter line. Monroe responded with a try by Nedeck Adams, who powered through the Vassar defense. Vassar came back with two well-worked tries of their own.
 
The Mustangs fought back in the second half, including some strong performances by the Monroe reserves. Tries by Dazzmen Johnson and Andrew Blackwood got Monroe back within a try. However, Vassar scored a try when the eight man grabbed the ball off the back of the scrum and took it in to put the game out of reach in the final minutes.
 
The Mustangs hit the road once again on Sunday, Oct. 1, to visit Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, will have six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level beginning in the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe College Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs), and follow the Monroe rugby teams on Twitter (@MonroeRugby) and Instagram (@monroemustangsrugby)