ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The second-ranked Navy men's rugby (11-1) team erased a 21-0 deficit to defeat fourth-ranked Life (13-3) 35-21 in Saturday's Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) DI-A Semifinals at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis. The Midshipmen scored 35-unanswered second-half points to secure their third trip to the national championship in four years
 
"Three national championships appearances in four years says something very significant about this program and we couldn't be happier," director of rugby Gavin Hickie said. "This senior class is special. They were freshman when we won the first national championship and every one of them stepped up and displayed their leadership today."
 
Roanin Krieger led the Midshipmen with 10 points, going 5-5 on conversion kicks. Five different Navy players scored a try to balance the dominant second-half offensive attack. Shaun Matthysen paced Life with two tries while Jonty Lee added six points on three conversion kicks for the Running Eagles.
 
Life capitalized on early Navy penalties to build a quick lead. Shaun Matthysen finished a maul into the try zone in the 15th minute and Jonty Lee hit the conversion kick to put the Running Eagles ahead 7-0.
 
The Running Eagles extended their advantage just five minutes later. James Rose executed a pass off a lineout and ran in untouched for a try before Lee kicked his second conversion of the day.
 
Matthysen struck again late in the first half to give Life a commanding 21-0 lead. He scored his second try on a pick-and-go play near the 5-meter line and Lee added his third conversion.
 
"We started very well in the first 15 minutes of the game with a lot of possessions, we just couldn't finish and score," Hickie stated. "It just came down to a test of character and that's not taking anything away from Life, but we really put it up to ourselves to dig out of that hole."
 
A yellow card on a Life player gave Navy a man-up advantage that sparked the comeback. Austin Taylor ran the Mids into the 22-meter zone seconds out of halftime before Andrew Baublitz ran it in for Navy's first try in the 42nd minute. Krieger drilled the conversion to cut the deficit to 21-7.
 
Max Smith broke loose for a long run shortly after to keep the momentum rolling. Baublitz collected a pass and slapped it to Kade Williams who dished it to Avion Ganse for a diving try at 44:30. Krieger hit the conversion from the sideline to make it a one-score game (21-14).
 
Team captain Austin Taylor completed the rally in the 53rd minute. He collected a pass and ran in a try before Krieger tied the game, 21-21, after he sent the conversion straight down the middle.
 
Navy took its first lead of the game off a critical turnover when Ian Bullock intercepted a Life lineout right at the try line and scored on a quick pick-and-go play. Krieger converted the kick to put the Midshipmen ahead 28-21.
 
Team captain Michael Strehle put the game away in the 66th minute. He took a handoff from Smith and slammed in the final try of the game as Krieger knocked through his fifth conversion. Navy's defense locked down the Running Eagles for the final 10 minutes of regulation to seal the 35-21 victory despite playing a man down following a late yellow card.
 
"We challenged ourselves at halftime," Hickie stated. "It was 40 minutes left and we either do it or we don't and the men did it. They were just outstanding."
 
Navy will play for the national championship next Saturday at Kutz Stadium in Indianapolis. The Midshipmen will face either top-ranked and defending national champions California for the CRAA DI-A title. Kickoff time will be announced next week.
 
Box Score
14:35 – Try – Life – Shaun Matthysen (0-5)
Conversion kick – Jonty Lee (0-7)
 
19:30 – Try – Life – James Rose (0-12)
Conversion kick – Jonty Lee (0-14)
 
28:37 – Try – Life – Shaun Matthysen (0-19)
Conversion kick – Jonty Lee (0-21)
 
41:15 – Try – Navy – Andrew Buablitz (5-21)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (7-21)
 
44:30 – Try – Navy – Avion Ganse (12-21)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (14-21)
 
52:17 – Try – Navy – Austin Taylor (19-21)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (21-21)
 
61:33 – Try – Navy – Ian Bullock (26-21)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (28-21)
 
65:58 – Try – Navy – Michael Strehle (33-21)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (35-21)