WEST POINT, N.Y. - Sophomore Roanin Krieger made the biggest penalty kick of his collegiate career to claim a 23-21 win for the Navy men's rugby team (11-0, 7-0) against Army (3-4-1, 2-4-1) on Friday at the Anderson Rugby Complex in West Point, N.Y.

The Mids trailed, 21-20, in extended time and Krieger nailed a walk-off penalty kick to end the contest. The play helped Navy win the inaugural men's rugby Star Match and extended its winning streak against Army to four matches. The Star Match is part of the Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA. 

Men's rugby earned the second Star win for Navy this season. The additional Star was won by the men's cross country team. Women's volleyball will look to win the third Star in its match against Army tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis, Md. 

"The rivalry always outweighs rankings and form. Army has lost only once on its home field since we beat them here last year," said director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "It was always going to come down to the final few minutes and champions find ways to win, which is what we did. We have a lot of work to do, but this is a great way to finish out our fall campaign"  

The Black Knights put the first points on the scoreboard in the sixth minute. Army struck for a try and nailed the ensuing conversion kick to jump out to an early 7-0 lead.

Navy wouldn't surrender any additional points in the first half and scored 17 itself to take a 10-point lead into halftime. 

Krieger gave the Mids their first points in the 19th minute on a penalty kick to trim the deficit to 7-3.

Tanner Russell provided the first try in the 29th minute to give Navy its first lead of the match. Krieger added another two points with a made conversion kick to make the score, 10-7. 

Vaughn Schmitz scored the second try of the first half for the Mids in the 37th minute. Krieger put another conversion kick through the uprights to increase the lead to 17-7.

Although Navy held a comfortable lead after 40 minutes, Army responded with a fast start in the second half to take the lead back. The Black Knights marched the ball into the try zone less than three minutes out of intermission and nailed the conversion kick to make the score, 17-14. 

Navy fell behind on the scoreboard again after surrendering a try in the 51st minute. Army's kicker made a huge conversion kick after the try to gain a 21-17 advantage.  

The Black Knights continued to hold strong defensively to keep the Mids out of the try zone over the next 19 minutes. Navy was able to keep its offensive pressure going and forced Army to commit a penalty. Coach Hickie opted to attempt a penalty kick and Krieger made the kick to make it a one-point game. 

The Black Knights maintained their one-point lead past the 80th minute and only needed to force play to stop to win the match. The Mids remained composed despite the pressure and worked the ball into scoring position. Army committed a costly penalty to grant Navy an opportunity to attempt another penalty kick in the 84th minute of extended time. Krieger booted the ball between the uprights to end the match and earn the Mids a thrilling victory. 

Navy will return to the pitch this spring to continue its quest to defend its Division I-A National Championship. Fans can stay up to date on news about the spring season by visiting NavySports.com(.)

Match Notes
• Krieger accounted for 13 of Navy's 23 points on three made penalty kicks and two conversion kicks. He finishes the fall season with 150-points scored. The sophomore will need to score only 17 points during the spring season to break Lewis Gray's team record for the most points scored in a single season (166). 
• Krieger totaled 113 points in Rugby East play to end the fall season as the top scorer in the conference. He joins Gray as the only two players to score 100 or more points in league games in the last two seasons. 
• Krieger's three penalty kicks tied his own record for the most in a game by a Mid in team history. 
• Russell scored his seventh try this fall. He has contributed a try in three-straight matches and four total during that stretch. Russell also crossed the try line for the sixth time against a conference foe, which is tied with Krieger for the second-most tries scored in the Rugby East this season. He is one of only 12 players in the Rugby East to account for at least 30 points in league play. 
• Schmitz found the try zone for the sixth time during his senior campaign. He ends the fall season as one of only six Mids to score at least 30 points.
• Navy improved to 4-0 in its varsity history against Army. 
• The victory also secured the second-straight undefeated fall season for the Mids. Navy is still yet to lose a match since being elevated to varsity status with a 29-0 record. 
• The Mids won all seven matches against Rugby East opponents and outscored their league competitors, 287-77.
• Navy allowed a league-low 11 points per match to its conference foes. 
• The Mids were also the only team to defeat Life and Notre Dame College during the fall slate. 
• Friday's match marked the first time Navy entered the 75th minute trailing. 

Box Score
First Half
6:17 - Try - Army (0-5)
Conversion Kick - Army (0-7)

19:25 - Penalty Kick - Navy - Roanin Krieger (3-7)

29:15 - Try - Navy - Tanner Russell (8-7)
Conversion Kick - Roanin Krieger (10-7)

37:20 - Try - Navy - Vaughn Schmitz (15-7)
Conversion Kick - Roanin Krieger (17-7)

Second Half
42:52 - Try - Army (17-12)
Conversion Kick - Army (17-14)

51:25 - Try - Army (17-19)
Conversion Kick - Army (17-21)

70:00 - Penalty Kick - Navy - Roanin Krieger (20-21)

84:00 - Penalty Kick - Navy - Roanin Krieger (23-21)