Women's Rugby Kicks Off Season at Queens
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy women's rugby team kicks off its 2025 15s campaign on Friday at Queens Sports Complex against Queens University of Charlotte. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Live Video
Fans can follow the live coverage
HERE.
Season Preview
Navy's leadership is anchored by seniors
Ella Callahan and
Ashley Spencer, who will serve as team captains this season. Callahan appeared in eight matches during the 2024 fall campaign, scoring tries in back-to-back games — a 24–19 win over Princeton and a 53–19 loss to Sacred Heart. Spencer played in all nine matches last fall and totaled 15 points on three tries, all of which came by way of a hat trick during the Mids' 59–5 win over Frostburg State.
The Mids return their two highest scorers from last fall's 15s season in
Meagan Alvarez and
Mia Young. Alvarez led the team in total points (52), tied for the most tries scored (5), converted the second-most conversion kicks (12) and scored Navy's only penalty kick of the season. Young totaled 41 points, led the Mids with 13 conversion kicks and added three tries.
Navy is led by fourth-year head coach
Murph McCarthy who returns 20 letter winners and had a strong offseason, bringing in 19 freshmen from 12 different states.
The Mids will open the season with six-consecutive National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) opponents — Queens, Dartmouth, Lindenwood, Long Island, Princeton and Quinnipiac. Navy's two non-conference games will be played on the road at Wheeling (Oct. 17) and Frostburg State (Nov. 1) to close out the regular season.
2024–25 Season in Review
Navy compiled a 4-5 record in 15s competition and posted its winningest 7s season in program history at 12-11. The Mids finished with a 2-5 mark in NIRA play with wins over Princeton (24–19) and Mount St. Mary's (36–14).
The team earned its first win of the season in dominant fashion over Frostburg State, 59–5. Spencer recorded the first hat trick of the year, while Alvarez led the way with 20 points on two tries and five conversion kicks. The Mids also defeated service academy rival Air Force, 71–8, in Colorado Springs, Colo. The 71 points marked the most scored in a single match in program history.
Scouting Queens
Queens posted a 4-4 record during the 15s season and finished 3-4 in NIRA play last fall, with wins over Navy (40–7), Mount St. Mary's (79–7) and Princeton (48–7). The Royals are led by second-year head coach Danny Harlow, who brings 14 years of coaching experience.
Navy vs. Queens
Friday's game will mark the fourth meeting between Navy and Queens. The Royals lead the all-time series 3-0 and have outscored the Mids 86–37. It will be the third-straight season the teams open the year against each other.
