ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth University Rugby teams faced a nationally-ranked team for the second time in the past three weeks and dropped a 48-19 decision on senior day in the season finale on the upper field.

Nazareth (0-6) lost a tough battle with most of the scoring coming in the second half for Iona, ranked No. 10 in the latest National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Division I ranking.

The Golden Flyers battled strong in the first half and trailed 22-12 at the break. Senior Owen Fitzwater caused a turnover early in the match and scored shortly after to trim the early Iona lead to 10-5

Trailing 22-5, senior Khyree Poole sent a terrific kick forward that was recovered by Tyshaun Wilson. Senior Pat Notaro sent a quick pass out to Rashawn Bowen who used some fancy footwork to score from 20 meters out. Notaro converted the kick to bring Nazareth close at 22-12.

In the second half, senior Tyreik Thomas scored for Nazareth and Notaro added another conversion for the final Golden Flyer points.