ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Navy women's rugby (1-0, 1-0 NIRA) powered past Queens University (0-1, 0-1 NIRA), 58-7, on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C.
 
The win marked the first time in program history the Mids defeated the Royals. Navy had scored a combined 37 points in its previous three meetings with Queens before Friday's dominant performance.
 
"It was a great team effort tonight in Charlotte. The team worked hard during the preseason and that showed," said head coach Murph McCarthy. "Our defense has grown from last year to this year and our attack was impressive in breaking off big chunks. It was nice to come away with a win to kick off the season."
 
The Midshipmen opened the match with three-straight tries to build a 19-0 lead by the 22nd minute. The Royals answered with a try at the 25th-minute mark to cut the deficit to 19-7, but Navy tacked on a penalty kick just before halftime to take a 22-7 advantage into the break.
 
The Mids seized control in the second half, scoring six tries and adding a penalty kick while holding Queens scoreless. Navy's attack tacked on another try to extend its lead to 46-7 in the 73rd minute before the Mids closed the match with one final score in the 80th minute.
 
Navy will host Dartmouth in its home opener next Saturday at the Prusmack Rugby Center. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
 
Box Score
First Half
7:44 – Try – Navy – Kelsey McKnight (5-0)
Conversion kick – Mia Young (7-0)
 
13:44 – Try – Navy – Ella Callahan (12-0)
Conversion kick – Mia Young (14-0)
 
21:52 – Try – Navy – Caroline Shegogue (19-0)
 
24:58 – Try – Queens – Fran Clarke (19-5)
Conversion kick – Cece Scarff (19-7)
 
37:23 – Penalty kick – Navy – Meagan Alvarez (22-7)
 
Second Half
 
47:30 – Try – Navy – Caroline Shegogue (27-7)
Conversion kick – Meagan Alvarez (29-7)
 
54:21 – Try – Navy – Ashley Spencer (34-7)
Conversion kick – Meagan Alvarez (36-7)
 
65:12 – Penalty kick – Navy – Meagan Alvarez (39-7)
 
72:25 – Try – Navy – Ella Callahan (44-7)
Conversion kick – Meagan Alvarez (46-7)
 
75:45 – Try – Navy – Layla Lujan (51-7)
Conversion kick – Meagan Alvarez (53-7)
 
79:24 – Try – Navy – Catherine O'Hara (58-7)