ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The top-seeded Navy men's rugby team (9-1) continues its postseason push on Saturday, when it plays host to rival and fourth-seeded Army (10-3) in the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) Division I-A Quarterfinals. Kickoff at the Prusmack Rugby Center is scheduled for 11:05 a.m.
Fans can watch the game free of charge on the
Navy Athletics YouTube page with the link provided on navysports.com.
The winner will advance to the semifinals held on April 25 where it will face either the number two seed Lindenwood or the third-seeded Life.
Notes for Traveling Fans
There is no admission charge for rugby games at the Prusmack Rugby Center.
Spectator parking is available in the lots on the north side of the Brigade Sports Complex (64 Greenbury Point Road, Annapolis, MD 21402). Overflow parking is available in the open space on the west side of the facility.
Navy Notes
- Navy holds a 2-1 record in CRAA Quarterfinal games since elevating to varsity status in 2022.
- Nate Roberts became the 20th different Midshipman to score a try this season, touching down for the first time during last weekend's opening-round victory over No. 8-seeded Mary Washington.
- Andrew Baublitz, Roanin Krieger, Michael Strehle and Austin Taylor have started all 10 matches for the Mids this season.
- Krieger needs four conversions to reach the 200-career milestone. He also paces the roster in total points (149), conversions (54) and penalty kicks (7) this season.
- Baublitz leads the team with eight tries. Avion Ganse and Max Smith have also been explosive runners for Navy, adding seven tries apiece.
- Jack Skidmore has emerged as a surprise offensive threat this spring. After playing in only two games during the fall, he has started in two spring contests and scored a team-high tying four tries including a score in last week's playoff win.
Scouting Army
- Army reached the quarterfinals by defeating fifth-seeded Arkansas State, 42-17.
- The Black Knights enter the weekend with a 10-3 record. All three losses came against CRAA playoff teams: Life (35-7), Navy (21-16) and California (70-18).
- Army picked up regular-season wins over three playoff teams, knocking off Mary Washington (32-7), Mount St. Mary's (24-15) and Penn State (55-14).
- Howie Heller leads the team with 78 points. Serving as the primary kicker, he has tallied 20 conversions and 11 penalty kicks.
- Chance Loudenback leads the roster with eight tries and ranks third in total points (35).
- The Black Knights boast eight All-Rugby East honorees, highlighted by first-team selections Gabe Savage and George Engels.
Army vs. Navy Series History
- Navy is 6-0 against Army since being elevated to varsity status.
- During the Star Match in November, the Midshipmen staged a thrilling comeback by scoring 14 points in the final 10 minutes to secure a 21-16 victory.
- Navy has outscored the Black Knights a combined 167-88 in their six meetings, averaging 27.8 points per game while allowing 14.7.
- The last time the teams met in Annapolis (Sept. 28, 2024), the Mids controlled the game en route to a 32-5 win last season.
- This marks the second time the rivals will square off in a CRAA playoff match. They previously met in the quarterfinals in Annapolis on April 15, 2023, where Navy throttled Army, 30-6.
Navy Sports Magazine
Avion Ganse, who scored the game-winning try in this year's Star Match against Army, sat down with
Tim Nolan on the Navy Sports Magazine Show to discuss the highly-anticipated quarterfinal game. Fans can watch the interview on the Navy Athletics YouTube channel.
CRAA Quarterfinal Schedule
East Region
- (4) Army at (1) Navy – 11:05 a.m. ET
- (3) Life at (2) Lindenwood – Noon CT
West Region
- (4) BYU at (1) California – Noon PT
- (3) Arizona at (2) Saint Mary's – 1 p.m. PT
