ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The top-ranked Navy men's rugby team (15-0, 11-0) beings its quest for a national championship with a quarterfinal contest on Saturday against eighth-ranked Army (9-5, 6-2) at the Prusmack Rugby Center. The Mids play host to the matchup as the No. 1 seed in the east playoff bracket. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Fans can stream the match for free on the Rugby Network with the link provided on NavySports.com(.)
The winner of Saturday's match will advance to the semifinals to face the winner of second-seed Lindenwood and third-seed Life. The match will be played at the home of the higher-seeded advancing team.
Navy will go for its third victory over Army this season. The Mids defeated the Black Knights, 27-14, in Annapolis on Nov. 5 and won in West Point, 34-26, on March 24.
"We can't wait to face Army on Saturday in the playoff quarterfinals. We are fighting for the right to continue our season for another week," said director of rugby
Gavin Hickie. "Our previous two victories over Army this season go out the window now that we are in the playoffs. We are prepared and relishing this fresh challenge.
"We have earned the right to play at home on Saturday and we hope our Prusmack Rugby Center will be packed in support of our Midshipmen."
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.
Last Time Out (vs. Army)
Navy's most recent victory at Army clinched an undefeated regular season and the top seed in the CRAA Division I-A Elite Playoffs.
Roanin Krieger opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 14th minute to put Navy ahead, 3-0.
Vaughn Schmitz scored his first try since Navy's season opener against the Citadel (Sept. 3) in the 19th minute. A made conversion kick from Krieger gave the Mids a 10-0 advantage.
Ryan Bullock scored Navy's second try of the contest in the 32nd minute and another conversion kick by Krieger built Navy's lead to 17-0.
Army quickly responded with its first try in the 33rd minute by blocking a kick attempt to trim Navy's lead back to 10 points.
Bullock provided a crucial try before the end of the first half to put the Mids in front, 22-7, at the
halfway point.
The Black Knights cut Navy's lead to just three points with a pair of tries in the first eight minutes of the second half to make the score 22-19.
The Mids answered on a try from
Lewis Gray in the 59th minute and a third conversion kick by Krieger helped Navy regain a 10-point lead.
Matthew Thibodaux increased Navy's lead to 34-19 with his fifth try of the season in the 71st minute.
Army struck for a try in the 77th minute to come within eight points, but Navy's defense held strong for the remainder of the contest to record a 34-26 victory.
Navy Notes-Army
• The kicking game has been highly effective in both Army-Navy matches this season. In the fall contest, the Mids outgained the Black Knights in meters kicked, 513-409, despite having six fewer kicks (33-27). In the previous contest, Navy finished with a season-high 1,239 meters on 35 kicks, while Army totaled 1,199 meters on 36 kicks.
• A key factor for the Mids in building their first-half lead was taking advantage of penalties. The Black Knights were penalized eight times from the 11th minute to the 38th minute in the opening half. In the second half, Army received infringements in the 58th and 70th minutes, both of which led to Navy tries.
•
Landon Opp didn't score in the contest, but was vital in gaining Navy territory. He led the Mids with 68-meters gained on 12 carries and eight kick returns. The fly half also led the team in the kicking game with 610 meters on 17 kicks. Additionally, 16 of his kicks were deemed long kicks.
• Bullock leads Navy with 15 points in its two matches versus Army. The senior has scored three of his four tries this season against the Black Knights.
• Bullock was also a key piece on the defensive end for Navy. He finished in a three-way tie with
Peter Ratnayake and
Ben Haugh with a team-leading 13 tackles. Additionally, he joined Schmitz as the only two Midshipmen to record ten or more tackles without a missed tackle.
• Navy hasn't trailed in either matchup against Army and has held the lead for 116:31 of the 160 minutes of play.
• The Mids handed the Black Knights their first loss at home since Oct. 12, 2019.
Navy Notes-Season
• Navy is the only undefeated team remaining in the playoffs.
• The Mids have scored 102 tries this season and average 6.8 per match.
• Navy's offense has scored at least 30 points in 12 of its 15 matches this season. Navy's 34 points against Army marked the fourth-consecutive game it has surpassed the 30-point mark.
• The Mids have outscored opponents, 378-79, when playing at home this season.
• Thibodaux has been a big contributor for Navy since returning from injury. After only playing three matches in the fall, he has scored five tries in Navy's four spring matches.
• Krieger has a chance to become the second Mid to surpass 100 points this season. The freshman has scored 96 points on four tries, 29 conversion kicks and six penalty kicks.
Scouting Army
The Black Knights have won two-straight matches since the March 24 contest. Army concluded the regular season with a win over Arkansas State (49-22) and snuck by Davenport (36-34) with a walk off penalty kick in the opening round of the playoffs last Saturday.
Army earned the No. 4 seed in the east bracket after posting an 8-5 record during the regular season.
The Black Knights are looking to repeat as national champions after defeating St. Mary's (20-8) in the championship match last season.
Additional DI-A Elite Playoff Matches (All Times ET)
East Bracket
No. 2 Lindenwood vs. No. 3 Life (9 p.m.)
West Bracket
No. 2 St. Mary's vs. No. 3 California (4 p.m.)
No. 1 Central Washington vs. No. 4 BYU (3 p.m.)
