Army West Point defeated Saint Mary's 20-8 to win the 2021-2022 D1A final in a game that lived up to all expectations.
The Black Knights unleashed a blistering defensive front that hit hard and forced or caused several knock-ons from the Gaels. For their part, Saint Mary's played their classic aggressive, free-wheeling rugby, but picked the wrong day to have ball handling errors. Able to get into scoring position, The Gaels had all sorts of trouble finishing.
Army opened the scoring after a superb kick for a 50-22 that set up a lineout and maul and a 7-0 lead.
More pressure from Army set up a penalty attempt from flyhalf Sean McNulty put over for a 10-0 lead.
Playing with the wind Army kicks and was able to, for the most part, play in the Saint Mary's end. But the Gaels also had their chances and just weren't able to score. Army's scramble defense was ferocious, and those final passes for Saint Mary's never seemed to go to hand.
McNult added a penalty to make it 13-0 at halftime, but Saint Mary's came back. Karl Keane added a penalty goal and then a a bit of controversy. Saint Mary's kicked into in-goal for a 22 dropout. From that kick fullback Eddie King attempted a drop goal. The kick was just off, and was touched down in-goal. Goalline dropout was the call, but actually on a kick for goal, drop or place, it's a 22 dropout.
Still the call stood, Saint Mary's fielded the goalline dropout and quick shredded the Army chase to score and make it 13-8.