ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy men's rugby team (5-0, 3-0 Rugby East) utilized a relentless offensive attack to secure a decisive 64-8 victory over Southern Virginia (0-4, 0-3 Rugby East) on Saturday afternoon at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis. The Midshipmen took immediate control from the opening kickoff to set the tone for the dominant win.
 
Reid Gerber and Eric Wrzyszczynski paced the Mids' high-scoring attack, with both players securing two tries during the first half. Sam Pirkl also provided reliable scoring, landing seven conversion kicks to finish the game with 14 points.
 
"Our primary focus is always winning these conference games," Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie said. "Secondary to that, we aim to secure the bonus point and limit their offensive opportunities. From that standpoint, it was mission accomplished."
 
The scoring barrage began in the third minute when a massive run by Nonso Unini set up Reid Gerber for the first try of the game. Navy quickly struck again in the seventh minute, utilizing its speed on the edge as Avion Ganse offloaded to Wrzyszcynski for his first try of the season.
 
The Midshipmen power was on full display moments later. The team executed a driving maul from 22 meters out that culminated in Brennon Braud slamming in a try at the 11:42 mark.
 
Navy extended its lead midway through the half following another powerful maul, with Noah Wiidakas delivering a crisp pass to Wrzyszczynski for his second try at 24:57.
 
The Midshipmen relied on their forward pack near the try line in the 31st minute, allowing Wiidakas to pull the ball from the pile and locate Gerber, who pierced the defensive line for his second score.
 
Southern Virginia managed to break the shutout late in the half when Saki Tikotani converted a penalty kick, making it 31-3 at the break.
 
Navy maintained its momentum early in the second half. The team capitalized on a high tackle penalty with a lineout and maul that resulted in Jude Ballinger scoring his first try of the season in the 47th minute.
 
Southern Virginia responded shortly after with its best offensive sequence of the game. The Knights broke off a long run and applied constant pressure until Ammon Filipe finally broke through for a try at 51:23.
 
"While our overall defensive effort has been strong, we always strive for a shutout," Hickie stated. "We are continuously evolving and refining our execution on both sides of the ball."
 
The Midshipmen leaned heavily on their bench depth to confidently close out the final 20 minutes of the contest. After John Masino slipped through a gap to get Navy inside the 5-meter line, Waylon Davis scored on a pick-and-go in the 61st minute.
 
Aidan Gerber then provided a defensive highlight for the Mids. He snagged a one-handed interception near midfield and scampered untouched for a try at 65:28.
 
The offensive onslaught continued in the 73rd minute off a 5-meter scrum, as Reid Gerber took a heavy hit but managed to get a pass off to Jayden Saxton for his first try of the year.
 
Noah Wiidakas put the finishing touches on the victory in the 79th minute, receiving a pass from Reid Gerber off a box kick and diving in for a score down the sideline.
 
The Midshipmen will look to carry their momentum on the road next Saturday for a highly anticipated Rugby East meeting against Life. Kickoff in Marietta, Ga., is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
Box Score
3:22 – Try – Navy – Reid Gerber (5-0)
 
7:52 – Try – Navy – Eric Wrzyszczynski (10-0)
Conversion kick – Sam Pirkl (12-0)
 
11:42 – Try – Navy – Brennon Braud (17-0)
 
24:57 – Try – Eric Wrzyszczynski (22-0)
Conversion kick – Sam Pirkl (24-0)
 
30:57 – Try – Navy – Reid Gerber (29-0)
Conversion kick – Sam Pirkl (31-0)
 
34:30 – Penalty Kick – Southern Virginia – Saki Tikotani (31-3)
 
46:59 – Try – Navy – Jude Ballinger (36-3)
Conversion kick – Sam Pirkl (38-3)
 
51:23 – Try – Southern Virginia – Ammon Filipe (38-8)
 
61:52 – Try – Navy – Waylon Davis (43-8)
Conversion kick – Sam Pirkl (45-8)
 
65:28 – Try – Navy – Aidan Gerber (50-8)
Conversion kick – Sam Pirkl (52-8)
 
73:07 – Try – Navy – Jayden Saxton (57-8)
Conversion kick – Sam Pirkl (59-8)
 
78:19 – Try – Navy – Noah Wiidakas (64-8)