CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Navy men's rugby team (9-1, 6-1 in the Rugby East) concluded its Rugby East Conference slate with a 49-19 road victory over Queens (8-2, 5-2 in the Rugby East) on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.
"For the most part we executed very well and were able to move the ball around; demonstrated by our seven different scorers," stated director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "All 23 guys on the team made a significant contribution today and we are happy with our performance."
In a match that featured the Rugby East North and South Divisional champions, Navy scored seven tries in the match from seven different athletes. It was also the Royals first home loss of the season; a place where they averaged 38.7 points per match as the Midshipmen held them to 19.
Navy opened the match with tries from Ryan Hotaling, Max Smith and Avion Ganse in the 5th, 15th and 30th minutes for a three-possession lead, 21-0.
Queens would add its first try of the game in the 34th minute, a failed conversion kick kept the Mids' lead to, 21-5.
Michael Strehle found a hole in the Royals defense for his second try of the season to extend the lead, 28-5, to open the second half in the 45th minute.
Queens continued to fight with a back-to-back tries in the 49th and 59th minutes to narrow the gap, 28-19.
Navy finished the match with three tries in a span of 17 minutes. Senior team captain JD Bengston got in on the scoring action in the 61st minute for his sixth try of the season.
Austin Taylor reached the try-zone in the 67th minute for his first score of the season.
Andrew Baublitz added to his team leading total 12th try for the final try in the 78th minute.
Up Next
The Mids will close out their fall season on their home pitch when they welcome BYU next Saturday, Nov. 16. Kickoff at the Prusmack Rugby Center is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Box Score
First Half
4:09 – Try – Navy – Ryan Hotaling (5-0)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (7-0)
14:52 – Try – Navy – Max Smith (12-0)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (14-0)
29:51 – Try – Navy – Avion Ganse (19-0)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (21-0)
34:00 – Try – Queens (21-5)
Second Half
44:19 – Try – Navy – Michael Strehle (26-5)
Conversion kick Roanin Krieger (28-5)
48:38 – Try – Queens (28-10)
Conversion kick (28-12)
58:30 – Try – Queens (28-17)
Conversion kick (28-19)
60:30 – Try – Navy – JD Bengston (33-19)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (35-19)
66:11 – Try – Navy – Austin Taylor (40-19)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (42-19)
76:57 – Try – Navy – Andrew Baublitz (47-19)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (49-19)
