FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – A 22-point second-half surge helped the second-ranked Navy men's rugby team (14-1) rally for a 27-22 victory over Mary Washington (4-7), Saturday afternoon in Fredericksburg, Va., in the team's regular season finale.
"We are very happy to get another tough win on the road," stated Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. "We expected a physical encounter with Mary Washington and that's exactly what we got. I'm pleased with how we kept our composure despite a fast start from the Eagles and were able to pull out a gritty victory."
The Eagles stole the first possession from the Midshipmen with an interception on the opening kickoff to go on the attack early. A Mary Washington attacker then broke through a pair of Navy defenders to score a try just 40 seconds into the match. However, a failed conversion kick kept the score at 5-0.
The Eagles marched deep into Navy's 22-meter zone at the eight-minute mark and were inches from scoring their second try at the game. However, the Mids forced a turnover and drew a Mary Washington penalty to get out of their own territory.
After 15 minutes of the teams trading possessions, Navy found itself in the opposing five-meters zone for the first time during the match. A successful scrum following an Eagles penalty led to Michael Strehle locating an open Roanin Krieger, who ran in his first try of the season to tie the match at 5-5.
Mary Washington regained the lead with its second try of the first half in the 34th-minute. The Eagles extended their lead to 12-5 after a successful conversion kick in what proved to be the last score of the half.
Navy began the second half with a trip deep inside Mary Washington's 22-meter zone. Kade Williams collected a pass from Andrew Baublitz to run in his first try of the spring and bring the Mids to within two points at 12-10.
Navy was able to capitalize off of a penalty by the Eagles in the 52nd-minute and elected to attempt a penalty kick. Krieger drilled his fifth penalty kick of the spring to give the Mids a 13-10 lead.
The back-and-forth action continued as Mary Washington scampered in its first try of the half to regain the lead at 17-13 in the 64th-minute.
Navy found a rhythm on offense and scored two tries in a span of nine minutes. Max Smith broke free to score his third try this spring in the 70th minute, and a successful conversion kick from Krieger made it a three-point lead for the Mids at 20-17.
Controlling the pace, Navy began an attempt to put the game away in the 79th-minute when sophomore flanker Aidan Gerber scored his third try this spring. A crucial second conversion kick from Krieger made it a 10-point game at 27-17.
The Eagles continued to fight hard and added another try at the end of regulation to narrow the final score to 27-22.
"We've had a good spring season that tees us up nicely for the D1A Men's National Championship Playoffs," said Hickie.
The Mids will now turn their focus to the postseason. The opponent and location for the first game will be announced on Monday.
No. 2 Navy 27, No. 13 Mary Washington 22
First Half
:40 – Try – Mary Washington (0-5)
23:10 – Try – Navy – Roanin Krieger (5-5)
33:45 – Try – Mary Washington (5-10)
Conversion kick – Mary Washington (5-12)
Second Half
47:30 – Try – Navy – Kade Williams (10-12)
51:45 – Penalty kick – Navy – Roanin Krieger (13-12)
63:55 – Try – Mary Washington (13-17)
69:54 – Try – Navy – Max Smith (18-17)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (20-17)
79:04 – Try – Navy – Aiden Gerber (25-17)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (27-17)
80:00 – Try – Mary Washington (27-22)
