PENNSAUKEN, N.J. - The Navy women's rowing team opened its 2015 spring season with a strong performance at the 33^rd Annual Murphy Cup Regatta on the Cooper River in Pennsauken, N.J. on Saturday. Participating in four races, Navy crews earned titles in three of the events.

"Today was a great day of racing," said head coach Mike Hughes. "We had a strong and deep showing with our V8 and 2V8 boats winning and our two V4 boats finishing first and second."

The Midshipmen's first win of the day came in varsity four action as Navy `B' won with a time of 7:51.31. The Navy `A' crew finished second at 8:05.39 more than nine seconds ahead of the third-place crew from Penn State.

"The varsity four racing was great as we went first and second," said Hughes. "We're still trying to figure out our best lineups for those boats, but both crews were dominant."

The second varsity boat was the next squad to finish in first place as the Mids held off Buffalo by a 5.2-second margin at 6:59.36 to 7:04.56.

Navy's final win of the day was by the varsity eight team that triumphed over Holy Cross with a time of 6:47.29. The Mids raced to a 3.37-second victory to earn their fourth straight win in the varsity eight finals at the Murphy Cup.

"The first varsity crew had a half boat advantage at the first 500 and extended its lead further before Holy Cross made a late charge down the stretch to challenge us," said Hughes. "It was great to earn the win especially versus a Patriot League opponent."

The novice eight crew finished in fourth place in the finals with a time of 7:55.34.

Navy will be back in action next Saturday, April 4 with a pair of races versus Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State and Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.

Results

Varsity Four - Race 5 Heat 4

1. 1. Navy `A' - 8:08.97

2. 2. Penn State - 8:17.35

Varsity Four - Race 5 Heat 5

1. 1. Navy `B' - 7:59.05

2. 2. Lafayette - 8:27.40

Varsity Four - Finals

1. 1. Navy `B' - 7:51.31

2. 2. Navy `A' - 8:05.39

3. 3. Penn State - 8:14.59

Novice Eight - Race 7 Heat 1

1. 1. Navy - 7:37.00

2. 2. Drexel - 7:46.73

Novice Eight - Finals

1. 1. Temple - 7:27.40

2. 2. Delaware - 7:43.54

3. 3. St. Joseph's - 7:47.26

4. 4. Navy - 7:55.34

Junior Varsity Eight - Race 11 Heat 1

1. 1. Navy - 7:01.03

2. 2. Buffalo - 7:04.94

Junior Varsity Eight - Finals

1. 1. Navy - 6:59.36

2. 2. Buffalo - 7:04.56

Varsity Eight - Race 16 Heat 1

1. 1. Navy - 6:49.58

2. 2. George Washington - 6:57.00

Varsity Eight - Finals

1. 1. Navy - 6:47.29

2. 2. Holy Cross - 6:50.66