ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The second-ranked Navy men's rugby team (14-1) commences its 2025 postseason campaign on Saturday with a first-round match in the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) Division I-A Playoffs against No. 15 Penn State (4-8). The Mids will play host to the Nittany Lions at the Prusmack Rugby Center at noon.
Fans can stream the match for free on the Navy Athletics YouTube page with the link provided on NavySports.com.
The winner of Saturday's game will advance to the quarterfinals on April 12 to face the winner of third-seeded Lindenwood and sixth-seeded Arkansas State.
Notes for Traveling Fans
• There is no admission charge for rugby matches at Prusmack Rugby Center.
• Spectator parking is available in the lots on the north side of the Brigade Sports Complex (64 Greenbury Point Road, Annapolis, MD 21402). Overflow parking is available in the open space on the west side of the facility.
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited at the Prusmack Rugby Center and surrounding parking areas.
Last Time Out: at No. 13 Mary Washington
A 22-point second-half surge helped the Midshipmen rally to a 27-22 victory over No. 13 Mary Washington on March 22 in Fredericksburg, Va., in the team's regular season finale.
Three different Mids –
Roanin Krieger,
Kade Williams and
Max Smith – scored a try in the hard-fought victory.
Krieger accumulated 12 of the team's points as he scored his first try of the season and added two conversion kicks plus a penalty kick.
Aidan Gerber accounted for the final points of the match when he scored his third try of the spring in the 79th minute.
Navy Team Notes
- Navy looks to continue its postseason success in the DIA Men's National Championship Playoffs. The Mids have posted a 6-1 all-time record in the postseason, including a national title match victory over California (28-22) in their 2023 inaugural varsity season.
- Navy has tallied a 7-1 record against teams in the CRAA Playoffs this season, including winning five matches against opponents (Mount St. Mary's, Penn State and Army) in the east bracket.
- The Midshipmen ended the regular season on a seven-match winning-streak that dates back to November and a 60-17 victory over Kutztown.
- The Mids have scored 607 total points and 83 tries through the season.
- Krieger led the team in total points (169) for the second-straight season. He handled the kicking duties for Navy with 46 successful conversion kicks and 24 penalty kicks.
- Sophomore Andrew Baublitz concluded the regular season as the team's leader in scored tries with 14.
- The Mids have been dominant on their home pitch this season with a 6-1 record and have outscored their opponents 228-88.
- Smith led the team in tries (3) during the spring season, while Krieger led in total points (40).
Scouting Penn State
- Penn State garnered the seventh seed in the east bracket after it compiled a 4-8 record during the regular season.
- The Nittany Lions defeated Kutztown (32-24), Queens (50-39), Davenport (19-12) and Mary Washington (41-34) this season.
- Penn State has posted a 1-6 record against teams who qualified for the playoffs this season.
- The Nittany Lions finished in ninth place in the Rugby East Conference during the fall with a 2-5 record.
Series History vs. Penn State
- The Mids will face Penn State for the seventh time as a varsity program. Navy has won all six previous meetings.
- Saturday's match will be the third meeting between the two schools this season and the second match in Annapolis.
- The Midshipmen earned a gritty 29-26 victory over the Nittany Lions in University Park, Pa., on March 1.
Additional First-Round Playoff Games (All Times ET)
East Bracket
Saturday, April 5
(6) Arkansas State at (3) Lindenwood (Noon)
(5) Mount St. Mary's at (4) Army (Noon)
(8) Davenport at (1) Life (2 p.m.)
West Bracket
Saturday, April 5
(8) Colorado State at (1) California (4 p.m.)
(7) UCLA at (2) Saint Mary's (4 p.m.)
(6) BYU at (3) Central Washington (3 p.m.)
(5) Arizona at (4) Cal Poly (5 p.m.)
