ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Navy men's rugby team earned the top seed in the East Region of the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) Division I-A Playoffs, the league announced Monday.
The 16-team playoff field is split into two eight-team brackets.
"We've had another great season, which is a testament to the consistent hard work of our Midshipmen," director of rugby
Gavin Hickie said. "We've enjoyed significant wins over Life, BYU and Army, but now our focus turns to the CRAA Playoffs. Each week from here on is a gift, and we're fighting to extend our season."
Navy will open postseason play Saturday, April 11, when it plays host to No. 8 Mary Washington at the Prusmack Rugby Center. Kickoff is set for 11:05 a.m., and the game will be streamed on the Navy Athletics YouTube channel.
With a win, the Midshipmen would host a quarterfinal April 18 against the winner of No. 4 Army and No. 5 Arkansas State. A semifinal appearance would put Navy at home again April 25 against one of the following: No. 2 Lindenwood, No. 3 Life, No. 6 Mount St. Mary's or No. 7 Penn State.
The national championship game is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at Kuntz Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis.
"We hope to have a big crowd at the Prusmack Rugby Center to support the team," Hickie said.
Navy enters the playoffs with an 8-1 record and a 5-0 mark in Rugby East play, securing its fourth-consecutive conference championship during the fall season.
The Midshipmen are 4-0 against East Region opponents this season, including wins over No. 4 Army (21-16), No. 3 Life (29-21), No. 8 Mary Washington (65-3) and No. 6 Mount St. Mary's (59-19).
Navy split its games against West Region teams this year, defeating No. 4 BYU, 54-28, and falling to No. 1 California, 52-45.
First-Round Games
East Region
(8) Mary Washington at (1) Navy
(7) Penn State at (2) Lindenwood
(6) Mount St. Mary's at (3) Life
(5) Arkansas State at (4) Army
West Region
(8) San Diego at (1) California
(7) Colorado State at (2) Saint Mary's
(6) Grand Canyon at (3) Arizona
(5) Cal Poly at (4) BYU
