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WJU Downs Navy

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WJU Downs Navy

Wheeling Jesuit ran out to a 20-0 first half and held on to beat the US Naval Academy 25-19 in something of an upset Saturday.

WJU is ranked #29 by Goff Rugby Report, while Navy, which had been more active in 15s games in 2015, had moved up to #10.

In an intense, physical game, Wheeling Jesuit did well to pressure the Navy backline in the first half. The Midshipmen were more rattled than they normally are, and gave up a duple of soft tries.

“They did an excellent job of using our mistakes to their advantage,” said Navy head Coach Mike Flanagan. “We missed tackles, dropped balls.”

But Navy renounced well in the second half and finished the stronger. They were within a try when the game ended.

“They scrambled a bit better than us,” said Flanagan. “I thought their centers had a big impact defensively. We are a work in progress - eliminate a few mistakes and we’re pretty good.”

The centers were good offensively, too, as #12 Inosi Kau scored two tries for WJU. Wing Brandon Stine added two, including capping off a length-of-the-field race that was WJU's only score of the second half, while Killian Hause added a try. WJU missed all five of their conversions.

 

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