CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – ­ The Navy women's rugby team (1-3, 1-3 NIRA) dropped a 53-26 decision to three-time defending national champion Harvard (4-0, 4-0 NIRA) on Saturday afternoon in Cambridge, Mass. The Midshipmen put together a valiant effort to outscore the Crimson over the final 40 minutes.
 
Natalie Peugeot and Aleksandria Gabbard led Navy with two tries each and Mia Young added three conversions. Morgan Gibson and Eseta Pale each scored two tries to pace Harvard.
 
The Crimson took control early after a Navy turnover in the opening minute. Harvard built a 29-0 halftime lead with tries from Ava Ference, Josephine Mignone, Gibson and two from Pale.
 
Harvard pushed its lead to 46-0 early in the second half with scores from Maddie Hubbell, Courtney Taylor and Jayelle Jones. From there, Navy found its rhythm.
 
In the 53rd minute, Peugeot scooped up a Harvard fumble and ran it back untouched for Navy's first points of the game.
 
The Midshipmen kept the momentum going. Just six minutes later, Gabbard broke through two defenders to score. In the 64th minute, Peugeot found a gap and outran the defense for her second try of the day to make it 46-19.
 
Harvard answered with Gibson's second try in the 69th minute, but the Midshipmen continued to battle.
 
Late in the game, Gabbard broke multiple tackles for her second try. Young's conversion capped off a strong finish, sealing a 26-24 second-half scoring advantage for the Mids.
 
Navy will have a bye week before returning to action against Queens on Oct. 24. Kickoff at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis is set for 1 p.m.
 
Box Score
0:48 – Harvard – Try – Ava Ference (0-5)
Conversion – Evie Eyers (0-7)
 
13:33 – Harvard – Try – Josephine Mignone (0-12)
 
24:20 – Harvard – Try – Morgan Gibson (0-17)
 
30:31 – Harvard – Try – Eseta Pale (0-22)
Conversion – Evie Eyers (0-24)
 
37:13 – Harvard – Try – Eseta Pale (0-29)
 
41:20 – Harvard – Try – Maddie Hubbell (0-34)
 
46:27 – Harvard – Try – Courtney Taylor (0-39)
 
49:52 – Harvard – Try – Jayelle Jones (0-44)
Conversion – Evie Eyers (0-46)
 
52:48 – Navy – Try – Natalie Peugeot (5-46)
Conversion – Mia Young (7-46)
 
58:12 – Navy – Try – Aleksandira Gabbard (12-46)
 
63:20 – Navy – Try – Natalie Peugeot (17-46)
Conversion – Mia Young (19-46)
 
68:10 – Harvard – Try – Morgan Gibson (19-51)
Conversion – Evie Eyers (19-53)
 
76:20 – Navy – Try – Aleksandria Gabbard (24- 53)
Conversion – Mia Young (26-53)