ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy women's rugby team begins its 7s season with a three-team tournament against Army and Royal Military College of Canada on Saturday at the Anderson Rugby Complex in West Point, N.Y.
 
The Mids and Paladins will both travel three teams, while host Army will compete with two teams. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
 
Fans can watch the tournament for free on the Army Athletics YouTube page with links provided on NavySports.com(.)
 
Tournament Schedule
9 a.m. - Navy No. 1 vs. Royal Military College of Canada No. 1
9:20 a.m. - Navy No. 3 vs. Army No. 2
9:40 a.m. - Army No. 1 vs. Royal Military College of Canada No. 1
10 a.m. - Navy No. 1 vs. Royal Military College of Canada No. 2
10:20 a.m. - Army No. 2 vs. Royal Military College of Canada No. 2
10:40 a.m. - Navy No. 2 vs. Army No. 1
11 a.m. - Navy No. 3 vs. Royal Military College of Canada No. 3
11:20 a.m. - Navy No. 2 vs. Royal Military College of Canada No. 3
11:40 a.m. - Royal Military College of Canada No. 1 vs. Army No. 2
Noon - Navy No. 1 vs. Army No. 1
 
Fall Season Recap
The Mids competed in 15s during the fall season and compiled a record of 2-5-1. Navy also completed its first season as a member of the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) and ended with a record of 1-5-1 against league opponents.
 
The Mids scored a season-high six tries in their first win against West Chester (38-3).
 
Navy picked up its second victory two weeks later against Long Island (19-18). The Mids trailed by 10 at halftime, but outscored the Sharks, 11-0, in the second half. Miracle Haynes, who garnered Second-Team All-NIRA honors, scored the go-ahead try in the 75th minute.
 
Abby Hershner also played a vital role in the win by making three penalty kicks, which is the most made in a match in team history. She ended the fall campaign with a program-record 11 made penalty kicks. Hershner totaled the second-most points in a 15s season (51 points) to become Navy's all-time leading scorer with 66 points.
 
Hear From Abby Hershner
Hershner sat down with Pete Medhurst on the Navy Sports Magazine this week to discuss the 7s season and her time at the academy. Fans can watch the full interview on the Navy Athletics YouTube page.
 
Ward and d'Halluin Earn Academic Scholarships
During the offseason, AJ Ward and team captain Charlotte d'Halluin both received prestigious scholarships.
 
Ward was one of 32 students nationwide awarded a Rhodes Scholarship for postgraduate study at Oxford University. She became the 56th midshipman to earn the scholarship. She plans to pursue a master's degree in social science of the internet as well as a master's degree in public policy.
 
d'Halluin earned a Marshall Scholarship, which provides up to two years of postgraduate study at a United Kingdom university. She is the 35th midshipman to earn the highly-competitive academic honor. Upon graduation this May, she will commission as an officer in the United States Navy with a service selection assignment of submariner. She intends to pursue a Master of Science degree from the University of Edinburgh in energy, society and sustainability, as well as a Master of Research in urban sustainability and resilience at the University College London. Her proposed research is to investigate ways to reduce carbon emissions on Department of Defense facilities across the globe.
 
Navy Adds John English to Coaching Staff
Head coach Murph McCarthy announced the addition of John English to his staff today as an assistant coach during the offseason.
 
English, who has USA Rugby level 200 coach certification, brings 29 years of experience from youth to the collegiate level in both men's and women's rugby.
 
Prior to his arrival in Annapolis, he served as an assistant coach for Queen's University of Charlotte during the fall of 2023. Under his guidance, three players garnered NIRA All-League accolades.
 
English is most known for his success with the Westerville Boys Rugby Club, which he founded in 1995. He formed Westerville into one of the top-ranked high school teams in the country during his 19 years at the helm, winning 15 state championships (Ohio), 10 Midwest regional titles and finishing as the national runner-up in 1998, 2000 and 2001.
 
Fans can learn more about coach English HERE.
 
Up Next
The Mids will head south to compete in the Tropical 7s in Tampa, Fla., next Friday and Saturday. Fans can visit NavySports.com for updates on the tournament schedule.