ANNAPOLIS, Md. – In a clash filled with physicality and playoff level intensity, the Navy men's rugby team (4-0, 3-0 Rugby East) held off a second-half rally from Life (2-1, 2-1 Rugby East) to secure a 29-21 victory on Saturday afternoon at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis.
 
"The outcome was absolutely phenomenal after we were able to walk away with bonus points, while holding Life with no points in the conference standings and we're in the driver's seat now," said Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. "There was something about these men this week where I was more nervous for this game than they were. They have been so calm and confident at the task at hand. They have been impressive all week and that's what led to the victory today."
 
Roanin Krieger led the Midshipmen with 14 points as he scored a try, three conversions and a penalty kick.
 
Navy set the tone early with a penalty kick from Krieger in the fifth minute after Life was penalized for collapsed in the game's first scrum. Sparked by Andrew Baublitz, Max Smith finished a breakaway in the sixth minute for his third try of the season. Krieger followed with a conversion to make the game 10-0.
 
Life answered in the 34th minute when Chris Cloete powered in a try followed by sustained pressure inside Navy's 5-meter line. Jonty Lee's conversion cut the deficit to three (10-7).
 
The Midshipmen responded just before halftime when Aidan Gerber muscled in a try off a maul in the 38th minute. Krieger's boot gave Navy a 17-7 lead at the break.
 
Navy continued to assert its physicality after the half as Dalton Sand added a try in the 44th minute off another maul. Krieger notched a solo try in the 57th minute after a field-flipping interception by Avion Ganse to make the game 29-7.
 
Life refused to go quietly as Mart Gerritse scored in the 63rd minute. Lee's conversion narrowed the gap to 29-14. With Navy down a man due to a yellow card, the Running Eagles struck again in the 72nd minute thanks to a Bautista Araujo try and another Lee conversion to make the score 29-21.
 
Life drove deep into Navy's territory in attempt to comeback but the Mids' stout defense forced a critical turnover and preserved the lead. In the 80th minute, a penalty against Navy was reversed following a referee consultation to seal the Midshipmen's win.
 
Up Next
The Mids will be back in action in three weeks when they hit the road to Penn State on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. in what will be Navy's first road test of the season.
 
Box Score
4:55 – Penalty kick – Navy – Roanin Krieger (3-0)
 
11:02 – Try – Navy – Max Smith (8-0)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (10-0)
 
33:58 – Try – Life – Chris Cloete (10-5)
Conversion kick – Jonty Lee (10-7)
 
38:17 – Try – Navy – Aidan Gerber (15-7)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (17-7)
 
43:35 – Try – Navy – Dalton Sand (22-7)
 
57:17 – Try – Navy – Roanin Krieger (27-7)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (29-7)
 
62:34 – Try – Life – Mart Gerritse (29-12)
Conversion kick – Jonty Lee (29-14)
 
71:49 – Try – Life – Bautista Araujo (29-19)
Conversion kick – Jonty Lee (29-21)