WEST POINT, N.Y. - The top-ranked Navy men's rugby team (15-0, 11-0) concluded the regular season with a 34-26 victory over eighth-ranked Army (7-5, 6-2) on Friday in West Point, N.Y.

Navy went into the locker room up, 22-7, but two quick tries by Army made it a three-point game in the 48th minute. Navy scored back-to-back tries in the 59th and 71st minutes to rebuild a three-score lead. Navy's defense held the lead over the final eight minutes to win its second match over Army this season. Additionally, the Mids handed the Black Knights their fifth-consecutive loss and their first loss in West Point since 2019. 

"It's been an incredible journey from August to today. The men have worked hard every day, setting standards and demanding accountability from each other," said director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "The team deserves huge credit for going 15-0 and beating Army twice along the way."

Army got inside Navy's five-meter line just four minutes into the contest. The Black Knights were only a few inches from the try zone, but a penalty against Army awarded Navy a free kick from the try line. Lewis Gray launched the ball near midfield to get Navy out of its defensive zone. 

Navy used its kicking game to get into Army territory and a penalty against the Black Knights set up a scrum just outside the 22-meter line in Navy's offensive zone. The Mids pushed inside the 22-meter line after winning the scrum and another penalty against Army gave Navy a penalty kick. Roanin Krieger sent the kick through the uprights in the 14th minute to give the Mids a 3-0 lead. 

The two teams exchanged kicks back and forth before a short kick by Army resulted in an offsides penalty against the Black Knights to award Navy a free kick at midfield. Gray kicked the ball inside Army's 22-meter line to set up a Navy lineout. Navy powered its way inside Army's five-meter line, but a penalty on the Mids resulted in a scrum for Army. Navy's frontline pushed the scrum backward to force an Army turnover and Vaughn Schmitz made the Black Knights pay for the mistake with a diving score for Navy's first try in the 19th minute. Krieger made the ensuing conversion kick to put Navy ahead, 10-0. 

Navy mishandled the kickoff after Schmitz's try, giving Army possession deep in Navy's defensive zone. A penalty against the Black Knights allowed the Mids to push the line back to midfield following a free kick. After an exchange of kicks from both teams, Army was penalized for not releasing to give Navy another free kick. Gray again sent the ball back deep into Army's zone on the free kick. Navy's attack powered it inside the five-meter line and a diving effort by Ryan Bullock resulted in the second try of the contest in the 32nd minute. Krieger made the conversion kick to give Navy a 17-0 advantage.

Navy turned the ball over once again on the kickoff to give the Black Knights possession in Navy's half of the pitch. The Mids retook possession after Army kicked the ball inside Navy's 22-meter line. Navy attempted to use its kicking game to regain territory, but the Black Knights blocked the kick and recovered it in the try zone to score their first try of the match in the 33rd minute. Army made the conversion kick to make the score, 17-7.

Navy didn't get flustered after the mistake and quickly got back into scoring position. The Mids pushed inside Army's 22-meter line with a free kick following a penalty against the Black Knights. Army kept Navy near the 22-meter line over the next few minutes, but Dale Sturdifen made a cut down the left sideline to get Navy inside the five-meter line. His effort was rewarded by Bullock, who found the try zone for the second time just before the 40th minute to give Navy a 22-7 at halftime. 

As the two clubs kicked back and forth to start the second half, Krieger dropped a kick out of bounds at Navy's 22-meter line to give Army a lineout. Navy would force a turnover following the lineout, but the Black Knights regained possession following a knock-on penalty against the Mids. The official called an additional penalty on Navy during the ensuing scrum, which gave Army a free kick to get inside Navy's five-meter line. The Black Knights won the lineout and mauled themselves into the try zone in the 44th minute. Army would miss the conversion kick, allowing Navy to maintain a 10-point lead. 

Navy began to press into Army's defensive zone, but a penalty against the Mids allowed the Black Knights to send a free kick deep into Navy's defensive side of the pitch. A series of passes out to the left caught Navy out of position and Army moved the ball inside the five-meter line. The Black Knights found the try zone a few seconds later for their second try in the first eight minutes of the second half. The made conversion kick put Army back within three points of Navy.

Army's offense quickly went to work in Navy's defensive zone to try and take the lead, but its attack was stalled after being called for a penalty. Another well-executed free kick from Gray flipped the field to give Navy lineout in Army territory. Navy charged ahead on its maul attack and Sturdifen set the Mids up inside Army's five-meter line with a big carry down the left sideline. Navy was a few meters from scoring, but was issued a penalty to give the Black Knights a free kick. The kick allowed Army to send the ball back to midfield.

The ball was sent back inside Army's 22-meter line after a penalty on the Black Knights gave Gray a free kick in Army's defensive zone. Jack McMahon caught the lineout pass from William Webb and McMahon was carried inside Army's five-meter line on a maul. Gray made sure the Mids weren't denied a score this time around. The senior lowered his shoulder on an Army defender and touched the ball down in the try zone in the 59th minute. Krieger made his third conversion kick of the evening to put the Mids back up by double digits, 29-19.

Army was awarded a scrum in Navy's defensive zone in the 68th minute following a knock-on penalty against the Mids. The Black Knights went to work quickly to get into scoring position, but a mishandled pass forced the ball out of bounds to give Navy possession. Navy powered itself forward with a maul and a penalty on the Black Knights allowed Navy to kick the ball to Army's 22-meter line. As the Mids mauled themselves closer to the try zone, Webb snuck out of the maul with the ball and was tackled just short of a try. Matthew Thibodaux would score a try on the next pass in the 71st minute to give Navy a 34-19 cushion.

Army answered with a try in the 77th minute to get back within eight points. A penalty against the Mids after the kickoff set up the Black Knights deep in Navy territory with less than a minute remaining. Navy's defensive line didn't allow the Black Knights to move forward and gained possession after Army dropped the ball on a pass attempt. Landon Opp ended the match with a kick out of bounds to secure Navy's 15th win of the season. 

"A special mention to captains Jack McMahon and Lewis Gray," added Hickie. "Along with all our senior class, these men display outstanding leadership on a daily basis. This team has created history in our first year as a varsity sport and we are not done yet." 

Bullock led the Mids with 10 points on two tries in the match. Three of his four tries this season have come against Army. 

Krieger finished with nine points three conversion kicks and a penalty kick. The freshman is tied with Gray as the team leader in penalty kicks with six. 

Gray scored his team-leading 16th try of the season and Thibodaux scored his fifth try of the spring season. 

Schmitz scored his second try of the season and his first since Navy's season-opening match against The Citadel back on Sept. 3. 

Up Next
Navy will be back on the pitch on Saturday, April 15 to begin its quest for the first national championship in program history. Navy will host the quarterfinals of the D1A Men's National Championship Playoffs at the Prusmack Rugby Center at 1 p.m. An opponent will be determined following the first round of the playoffs (April 8).

Box Score
14:04 - Navy - Penalty Kick - Roanin Krieger (3-0)

19:19 - Navy - Try - Vaughn Schmitz (8-0)
Conversion Kick - Roanin Krieger (10-0)

32:17 - Navy - Try - Ryan Bullock (15-0)
Conversion Kick - Roanin Krieger (17-0)

33:47 - Army - Try (17-5)
Conversion Kick - Army (17-7)

39:47 - Navy - Try - Ryan Bullock (22-7)

44:49 - Army - Try (22-12)

48:58 - Army - Try (22-17)
Conversion Kick - Army (22-19)

59:18 - Navy - Try - Lewis Gray (27-19)
Conversion Kick - Roanin Krieger (29-19)

71:09 - Navy - Try - Matthew Thibodaux (34-19)

77:05 - Army - Try (34-24)
Conversion Kick - Army (34-26)