WHEELING, W. Va. –  The 2024-25 National Collegiate Rugby national champion Wheeling women's rugby team (6-1) scored 20 unanswered points during one stretch of play on its way to recording a hard-fought 37-14 victory over Navy (3-4), Friday night at Bishop Schmitt Field in Wheeling, W. Va.
 
"Hats off to Wheeling. That's a very talented team which has only lost one game in the last two years," said Navy head coach Murph McCarthy. "I'm proud of how hard these ladies fought for all 80 minutes and left it all out on the pitch. It was a great effort tonight."
 
The Cardinals wasted no time in getting on the board when Marlee Garrison crossed the try line two minutes into the game. Bella Gullatta's conversion kick made it 7-0.
 
Navy quickly responded in the fifth minute after Grace McDonald sliced through the defense for her first-career try. Mia Young's ninth conversion kick of the season pulled the Midshipmen even at 7-7.
 
The Cardinals regained the lead in the 17th minute with a penalty kick from Gullatta to make the score 10-7. Wheeling continued to add the pressure in the 36th minute with a try by Ema Tai. Gullatta's conversion extended the advantage to 17-7 at halftime.
 
The second half saw Wheeling continue to capitalize on its opportunities. Gullatta kicked another penalty to extend the lead to 20-7 in the 46th minute. Alexis Dallas scored a try minutes later, followed by another boot from Gullatta to make it a 20-point cushion (27-7).
 
Navy answered in the 55th minute when team co-captain Ashley Spencer broke through Wheeling's defense for a try, which cut the deficit to 27-14.
 
Despite Navy's effort to rally, Wheeling answered back in the 57th minute when Dallas added her second try of the game. Gullatta sealed the win for Wheeling with a penalty kick in the 75th minute to account for the final score of 37-14.
 
Up Next
Navy's next game will be Saturday, Oct. 25 when it heads to West Point, N.Y., to face Army in the annual Star Game, which is part of the Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
 
Box Score
2:00 – Try – Wheeling – Marlee Garrison (0-5)
Conversion kick – Bella Gullatta (0-7)
 
5:23 – Try – Navy – Grace McDonald (5-7)
Conversion kick – Mia Young (7-7)
 
17:10 – Penalty kick – Wheeling – Bella Gullatta (7-10)
 
36:34 – Try – Wheeling – Ema Tai (7-15)
Conversion kick – Bella Gullatta (7-17)
 
46:23 – Penalty kick – Wheeling – Bella Gullatta (7-20)
 
52:28 – Try – Wheeling – Alexis Dallas (7-25)
Conversion kick – Bella Gullatta (7-27)
 
54:46 – Try – Navy – Ashley Spencer (12-27)
Conversion kick – Mia Young (14-27)
 
57:01 – Try – Wheeling – Alexis Dallas (14-32)
Conversion kick – Bella Gullatta (14-34)
 
75:30 – Penalty kick – Bella Gullatta (14-37)