ANNAPOLIS, MD. – A lot will be on the line this Saturday for Navy men's rugby (9-0, 7-0). The Mids host their biggest rival, the Army Black Knights (7-0, 6-0) for a noon contest at the Prusmack Rugby Center. Fans can watch the match for free on the Navy Athletics YouTube page. Along with bragging rights in the longtime rivalry, the match will serve as a deciding factor on who will win the Rugby East North Division Title.
 
"We are extremely excited for Saturday. While we know we have not achieved anything yet this season, we have progressed each week, building depth and trying out different combinations," said director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "We are exactly where we want to be. The team has worked incredibly hard for this opportunity and we are ready to face Army. We hope to have a very big crowd supporting the team at the Prusmack Rugby Center this Saturday."
 
Recap of Kutztown Match
Navy got going immediately in its 46-16 win over Kutztown. William Webb scored a try just 1:33 into the match for Navy's fastest score of the season. Ratu Osea Melibua added a try in the seventh minute, and Sean MacLaney scored his second try of the season in the 11^th to quickly put Navy up 19-0. Lewis Gray made a penalty kick in the 29^th minute, but Kutztown made a penalty kick of its own in the 34^th to make the score 22-3 at halftime.
 
The Golden Bears struck first in the second half with another penalty kick just 1:50 into the second half, but Ben Haugh countered with his first try of the match in the 44^th minute to put Navy back ahead by 21. Kutztown made its third penalty kick in the 47^th minute, but Haugh answered again with another try less than two minutes later.
 
Kutztown did score a try 21 seconds after Haugh's score, but Navy's defense shut down the Golden Bears' offense for the remainder of the contest. Navy also got a pair of insurance scores on tries from Jack McMahon in the 56^th minute and Osea Melibua in the 79^th.
 
Haugh Can't Be Stopped
No team has had an answer in trying to stop Ben Haugh as of late. Navy's 8-man scored another two tries versus Kutztown, giving him a team leading 13 this season. Haugh is also the leader in tries in the Rugby East with nine against conference foes. Haugh extended his scoring streak to six matches, which is the longest stretch a Navy player has scored at least one try in a match this season.
 
Switching Things Up
Coach Hickie moved some players to different positions in last Saturday's match and the new look worked well in the Mids favor. Lewis Gray switched to fly half, while continuing his role as Navy's primary kicker. Gray nailed two conversion kicks and a penalty kick to finish with seven points.
 
Roanin Krieger switched to outside center and took over kicking duties later in the match. Krieger made two conversion kicks for four additional points but was also a major factor in kicking for territory. The freshman had nine kicks in play during the match and averaged 41.77 meters per kick.
 
Landon Opp switched to fullback and had more opportunities to carry the ball, leading Navy with 139 meters gained in the match on 10 carries.
 
That Was Fast
William Webb continued Navy's trend of scoring fast in matches against the Golden Bears. The Lexington, Ky., native scored a try 1:33 into the match for Navy's fastest score of the season. The Mids have now scored a try in the first 10 minutes of the match four times this season.
 
No Offense Close to Navy
Navy reached the 300 point mark in conference play thanks to its 46 point outing against Kutztown. The Mids have scored 323 total points against Rugby East opponents, which ranks first in the league. What's more impressive is Navy has scored 93 more points than St. Bonaventure, who has the second most points scored with 230. Navy and St. Bonaventure are currently the only teams in the conference to score over 200 points this season.
 
Race for Division Title
The Rugby East North Division Title is up for grabs this Saturday in Annapolis. Army leads the division with 20 total points with its match versus Navy serving as its final contest versus a divisional foe. Navy stands in second place with 15 points with two divisional matches remaining. Navy will need a win over Army to keep its hopes for the division crown alive and also a win next week over St. Bonaventure to secure the title. Army can officially clinch the division with a win Saturday.
 
Scouting Army
The Black Knights enter the match undefeated with a 7-0 overall record and a 6-0 Rugby East record. Army began the year with two close victories over Kutztown and Queens University but have dominated their opponents since. In Army's last five matches, they've outscored their opponents 194-44 and most recently defeated Air Force 53-8 in West Point.

Army's defense has been the best in the conference to this point, allowing a league low 65 points. Navy has allowed the second fewest (84) but has also played one more conference game than Army. Army has two players ranked in the top 15 in scoring in the Rugby East. Jon Haley ranks 11^th in the conference with 27 points on 12 conversion kicks and a penalty kick. Mike Amberg is Army's top try scorer with five this season for 25 points, which ranks 13^th best in the league.
 
Up Next
Navy concludes its fall season on the road next Saturday, Nov. 12 in Olean, N.Y., against St. Bonaventure. Kickoff against the Bonnies is scheduled for 1 p.m.