ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The second-ranked Navy men's rugby team (15-1) dominated both sides of the ball to defeat No. 15 Penn State (4-9) 45-7 in the first round of the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) Division I-A Playoffs on Saturday at the Prusmack Rugby Center.

"Our defense was outstanding for 78 minutes and set the tone for the match. The offense moved the ball well with great passing that in turn led to tries," said Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie.

The Nittany Lions' offense attacked early and scored the first try just over 2 minutes into the match.

The Mids' defense was able to settle down and forced a turnover that fell in the lap of Ian Bullock inside Navy's 22-meter zone and Bullock ran in his second try this season in the sixth minute.

The Mids cashed in on a second Penn State turnover as AJ Young scooped-and-scored a loose ball from 50-meters out to score his fifth try this season in the 13th minute. A successful conversion kick from Roanin Krieger gave the Midshipmen a 12-7 lead.

Krieger gave Navy a 12-point advantage (19-7) going into the half, as he scored a try and drilled the conversion kick.

Navy opened up the second half by picking up where it left off as Ryan Hotaling came off the bench to run in a try in the 44th minute. A third conversion kick from Krieger extended the Mids' lead to 26-7.

Young's big day continued in the 55th minute when he showed off his speed from the wing position to find the corner of the try zone for his second score.

Max Smith got in on the scoring onslaught with a pair of tries in the 60th and 64th minute to put the match away at 45-7.

Krieger led the team in scoring with 15 total points behind five conversion kicks and a try.

"We are satisfied with today's results and we will be back to training on Monday to prepare for Lindenwood next week," remarked Hickie.

Navy will play host to Lindenwood next Saturday (12:00 pm) at the Prusmack Rugby Center in the second round of the CRAA Playoff.

Box Score
No. 2 Navy 45, No. 15 Penn State 7
First Half
2:20 – Try – Penn State (0-5)
Conversion kick (0-7)
 
5:34 – Try – Navy – Ian Bullock (5-7)
 
11:38 – Try – Navy – AJ Young (10-7)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (12-7)
 
15:13 – Try – Navy – Roanin Krieger (17-7)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (19-7)
 
Second Half
43:27 – Try – Navy – Ryan Hotaling (24-7)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (26-7)
 
54:20 – Try – Navy – AJ Young (31-7)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (33-7)
 
59:30 – Try – Navy – Max Smith (38-7)
 
63:20 – Try – Navy – Max Smith (43-7)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (45-7)