Annapolis, Md. – Navy women's rugby (0-1) fell in its season opener to Queens University of Charlotte (1-0) by a final score of, 40-7, Saturday morning.
The Royals made a steady push early in the match before breaking off a long run through the Mids defense for the first try 1:59 into the match.
"Queens is a very strong team. It's always been a good program and they showed it in both halves'," said head coach Murph McCarthy. "I'm proud of the way the girls played towards the end of the game as we got stuff figured out. Overall it was a tough loss and we got some stuff to fix."
Navy's defense was stout and halted the Royals offensive attack for the next 14 minutes but couldn't gain ground offensively. Queens added two more tries in the first try to take a 21-0 lead.
The Midshipmen received the ball to begin the second half, but a cross-field kick attempt was intercepted by a Royals defender. Queens was able to execute shortly as it passed through the defense for its fourth try of the day.
Navy avoided a shutout following a restart during a Mids kickoff that didn't travel 10-meters, the Royals elected to go for a scrum. Navy controlled the push and gained possession, from there it was all Raquel Manadero as she weaved around the defense from half field to register the Mid's first try of the season and her first collegiate try in the 61st minute. The sophomore from Newport News, Va. Made her collegiate 15s debut in the starting lineup.
Queens needed just seven minutes to respond with a try on its own at the 68th minute mark to seal the first victory of the season.
The Midshipmen will be back in action next Saturday at Frostburg, Md. to take on Frostburg State. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m.
Box Score
First Half
1:59 – Queens – Try (0-5)
Conversion Kick – Queens (0-7)
15:42 – Queens – Try (0-12)
Conversion kick – Queens (0-14)
38:11 – Queens – Try (0-19)
Conversion kick – Queens (0-21)
Second Half
45:57 – Queens – Try (0-26)
Conversion kick – Queens (0-26)
58:24 – Queens – Try (0-31)
Conversion kick – Queens (0-33)
60:52 – Navy – Try (5-33)
Conversion kick – Navy (7-33)
67:59 – Queens – Try (7-38)
Conversion kick – Queens (7-40)
