The US Naval Academy defeated the US Military Academy 27-14 Saturday to improve to 8-0 in the Rugby East and 10-0 overall, beating their heated rivals for the first time since 2019.
On a windy day at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis Navy scored 13 minutes in when Ryan Bullock broke through and Lewis Gray converted. But Army responded with a period of concerted pressure and then the forwards bashing it over after a quick tap.
That made it 7-7 and a penalty from Gray later made it 10-7.
ON the stroke of halftime, Army was on the Navy line. After the forwards inched closer the Black Knights went wide, and fullback Roanin Krieger raced across to make a try-saving tackle and preserve the lead going into halftime. Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie was under no illusions about how important that was.
"It was massive," Hickie told GRR. "We knew it was going to be a 10 MPH wind and we weren't sure how uch of a factor that would be. Going into the second half with a lead—we were just up—and the wind at our backs ... we were feeling good about that. We're very confident in our kicking game. So without a doubt that tackle by Roanin was a momentum shift."
A Gray penalty nudged Navy's lead to six points at 13-7. But after that the Navy kicking game did indeed take advantage of the wind. It made for a long field for Army and eventually the tries came. Sean MacLaney thundered through under the posts and Gray's conversion made it 20-7. Army responded, as of course they would be expected to, capping off some really good work woth No.8 and captain Lucas Pattinson charging through to make it a one-score game once more at 20-14.
With 10 minutes to go, a superb pass out of contact from No. 8 Ben Haugh set up wing Dale Sturdifen, who had two men to beat, which he did, the group of three crashing over the line in the corner. Gray calmly slotted the difficult conversion, and Navy held on from there.
For the rivalry, what had been something of an Army-dominated series, having won nine of the last 11 meetings between the two, now Navy can point to being a little closer at least, now having split the last four. In addition, Navy has unseated the defending D1A National Champions and taken sole possession of 1st place in the Rugby East.
"We respect Army massively and we have nothing but praise toward Matt Sherman and his players," said Hickie. "But we prepared well for them."
Hickie was reminded that in a recent interview his players had said this was "just another game." He said he was pleased his players said that, but knew it wasn't really the case.
