PRINCETON, N.J. -- The Navy lightweight rowing team fell in its season opening meet versus Yale on Lake Carnegie on Saturday. Taking on the second-ranked lightweight program in Yale, the seventh-ranked Mids battled through three tight races, while facing a stiff head headwind and light to moderately choppy waters.

"Today's racing with Yale proved to be a decent start against a very strong league opponent," said head coach Shawn Bagnall. "Having little on-the-water time to this point I thought all of our boats attacked the racing well, despite being a bit short in the end. The team has a good sense of the direction that we need to go heading into another challenging weekend of racing, and we look forward to taking the next step in our evolution."  

After an exhibition race between the fourth and fifth varsity boats of Navy, the third varsity crews from both institutions were on the water next. In an extremely close contest, the Bulldogs defeated the Mids by 0.1 seconds at 6:28.5 to 6:28.6.

In the second varsity eight race, Yale earned is largest margin of victory as it won by 2.9 seconds at 6:39.6 to 6:42.5.  

The headlining race of the afternoon was the varsity eight contest for the rights to take home the Eads Johnson Cup. The Mids battled throughout, but the Bulldogs came away with a 1.4-second victory at 6:26.5 to 6:27.9.  

Navy will be in action next weekend with a home tri-meet between Princeton and Columbia. Racing on the Severn River is slated to begin at 7:00 a.m.

Results

4V/5V (Exhibition)

1) Navy 4V: 6:47.4

2) Navy 5V: 6:55.7

3V

1) Yale: 6:28.5

2) Navy: 6:28.6  

2V

1) Yale: 6:39.6

2) Navy: 6:42.5

1V

1) Yale: 6:26.5

2) Navy: 6:27.9

(Yale retains Eads Johnson Cup)