ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy men's rugby team (2-0, 1-0 Rugby East) routed Mary Washington (0-1, 0-1 Rugby East) 65–3 to open conference play on Saturday in Annapolis. It marked the first time the Midshipmen scored 50 or more points in back-to-back games since the 2023–24 season, when they did so in three-straight wins over Air Force (50–8), Notre Dame College (50–19) and Penn State (53–5).
 
"The journey of this year's team is really exciting because we're seeing signs of significant improvements in certain areas," said Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. "We are starting fast in both halves'. Our defense is overall pretty special this year, particularly in terms of our connection and line speed. To only give up three points that came on a penalty, we'll give that up all day. This was a very good win to begin the Rugby East schedule and I am proud of the team in the first conference game of the season"
 
Roanin Krieger accounted for 30 points as he converted all eight of his kicks after tries and made three penalty kicks. He also added a try of his own early in the second half, part of a relentless Navy attack that piled on nine tries from six different players.
 
Navy wasted little time getting points on the board thanks to an early penalty kick from Krieger in the sixth minute, while Trevor Gayron opened the try count with a maul finish in the 10th minute. Kade Williams added a pair of tries in the first half highlighted by a highlight-reel grab off a cross-field kick from Krieger to stretch the lead to 27–3 at the 31st minute.
 
Mary Washington struggled to find rhythm offensively, scoring just one penalty kick midway through the first half for its lone points. The Eagles managed limited possession inside Navy's 22-meter zone and committed multiple penalties forced by the Mids' defense.
 
Navy's defense was suffocating throughout as it forced turnovers on four lineouts and generated several knock-ons that flipped field position. Max Smith capitalized on one such error early in the second half, stripping the ball and scoring in the 45th minute to open the second-half surge.
 
Krieger followed with his try in the 50th minute while Nonso Unini, Maximus Buono and Adam Mertens added scores as Navy blanked the Eagles 35–0 after the break.
 
"It's very important that we remain focused these next two weeks and I don't doubt that because we're going to be itching to get to our next game," said Hickie. "We've got some time to make sure we are where we want to be when we face our next opponent. We have time to clean up the areas we weren't satisfied with and the areas we are satisfied with, we'll keep pushing and work on getting better."
 
Up Next
The Mids will return to the pitch when they host Mount St. Mary's on Sept. 27 at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
 
Box Score
6:05 – Penalty kick – Navy – Roanin Krieger (3-0)
 
9:20 – Try – Navy – Trevor Gayron (8-0)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (10-0)
 
19:45 – Try – Navy – Kade Williams (15-0)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (17-0)
 
23:10 – Penalty kick – Mary Washington (17-3)
 
26:29 – Penalty kick – Navy – Roanin Krieger (20-3)
 
30:22 – Try – Navy – Kade Williams (25-3)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (27-3)
 
37:52 – Penalty kick – Navy – Roanin Krieger (30-3)
 
44:07 – Try – Navy – Max Smith (35-3)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (37-3)
 
49:34 – Try – Navy – Roanin Krieger (42-3)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (44-3)
 
57:27 – Try – Navy – Nonso Unini (49-3)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (51-3)
 
63:40 – Try – Navy – Maximus Buono (56-3)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (58-3)
 
80:11 – Try – Navy – Adam Mertens (63-3)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (65-3)