ANNAPOLIS, Md. - After splitting its two-game road trip, the Navy women's rugby team (2-3, 1-3) returns to its home turf to battle Sacred Heart (3-1, 3-1) on Saturday at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis, Md.
The match will begin at 10 a.m. and can be streamed for free on Navy Athletics YouTube with links provided on NavySports.com(.)
Notes For Traveling Fans
• There is no admission charge for rugby matches at Prusmack Rugby Center.
• Spectator parking is available in the lots on the north side of the Brigade Sports Complex (64 Greenbury Point Road, Annapolis, MD 21402). Overflow parking is available in the open space on the west side of the facility.
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited at the Prusmack Rugby Center and surrounding parking areas.
Recap of Brown Match
Navy was unable to take advantage of scoring opportunities in its, 34-7, loss to Brown last Saturday in Providence, R.I.
The Mids maintained possession in their offensive zone for a majority of the first 11 minutes of action, but were unable to make a deep push toward the try zone.
A line break allowed the Bears to flip the field and advance into their offensive 22-meter zone in the 12th minute. An additional long carry led to the first try for Brown at the 12:30 mark to take a 7-0 lead.
The Bears used their efficient attack to drive back into their offensive 22-meter zone shortly after the kickoff.
Siena Hall made a huge tackle to jar the ball free and earn the Mids a scrum from a knock-on penalty. Navy had an opportunity to clear the ball back across the midfield line with a clearing kick, but a short kick allowed Brown to maintain possession in its offensive 22-meter zone. The Bears used a maul to drive inside the five-meter line and later scored a try in the 17th minute to grab a 12-point lead.
Navy made a pair of key defensive plays to keep Brown off the scoreboard over the next 18 minutes. The Mids forced the Bears to commit an offensive penalty to reclaim possession near their defensive 22-meter line. Navy began to march back to midfield, but Brown stripped the ball away during a breakdown. The Bears immediately picked up the loose ball and their ball carrier sprinted over 25 meters to score a try to extend the lead to 17-0.
Abby Hershner exploded past the defense six minutes into the second half to move the Mids inside their offensive 22-meter zone. Navy's scoring chance was spoiled due to a knock-on penalty.
Brown went back on the offensive and charged inside its five-meter line thanks to multiple penalties. A yellow card against the Mids in the 52nd minute awarded the Bears a penalty try to make the score, 24-0.
Navy drove inside the five-meter line on three separate possessions over the next six minutes, but Brown held strong defensively all three times. The Bears booted the ball back to midfield with a clearing kick and then gained a scrum from a knock-on penalty against the Mids. Brown won the scrum and its ball carrier ran over 50 meters down the right sideline to score a try in the 62nd minute. The score gave the Bears a 29-point cushion.
The Mids were granted a scrum in their offensive 22-meter zone thanks to a knock-on penalty. Navy began to pound the ball near the try line, but lost possession after being called for not releasing. The Mids coughed up possession again after receiving the clearing kick from the Bears. Brown quickly corralled the ball and needed just two offloads to find the try zone again in the 73rd minute to go ahead, 34-0.
Navy remained determined to score despite the deficit and heavy rain beginning to fall. The Mids were rewarded for their effort by receiving a penalty try in extended time to conclude the match.
Playoff Outlook
Navy and Brown was the only National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) league contest last weekend.
The Mids now stand in ninth place in the conference power rankings following their loss to the Bears. Navy must place in the top four of the NIRA power rankings to qualify for the playoffs.
Fans can view the formula for determining a team's power ranking below. Fans can find the current NIRA standings
HERE.
NIRA DI Power Rankings Formula
• Power rating = (team rating + weighted win percentage) / 2
• Team rating = attack rating + defense rating
• Attack rating is calculated from points for per game
• Defense rating is calculated from points against per game
Weighted Win Percentage
• Wins versus an opponent with a high team rating has a greater effect on raising the weighted win percentage.
• Wins versus an opponent with a low team rating have less effect on raising the weighted win percentage.
• Losses versus an opponent with a high team rating have less effect on lowering the weighted win percentage.
• Losses versus an opponent with a low team rating have a higher effect on lowering the weighted win percentage.
Scouting Sacred Heart
The Pioneers bring a 3-1 NIRA record to Annapolis. Sacred Heart won three-straight games to begin the season, defeating Army (31-7), Brown (22-8) and Mount St. Mary's (55-5).
The Pioneers haven't seen the pitch since Sept. 30 when it dropped a road contest to Quinnipiac, 22-17. The two teams were tied, 10-10, at halftime, but a pair of tries by the Bobcats in the second half was the difference maker.
Sacred Heart is currently third in the NIRA in scoring at 31.3 points per game. The Pioneers are also third in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 10.5 points per match.
A player that Navy will need to key in on is fullback Alyssa Cunningham. She garnered All-NIRA First-Team accolades last season and competed for the USA U23 National Team over the summer. Additionally, freshmen Oliva and Reece Woods will be players to watch. The pair were the only two high school players selected to play for the U23 team.
Up Next
The Mids face in-state rival Mount St. Mary's next Sunday for their final home contest of the fall season. The match will kickoff at noon at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis, Md.
