ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The men's rugby Star is on the line Saturday when Navy (3-0, 1-0 Rugby East) takes on Army (3-0, 0-0 Rugby East) in the annual Star Match, part of the overall Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA. Action is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. at the Prusmack Rugby Center.
Live Coverage
The match will be streamed live on the
Navy Athletics YouTube channel.
Notes for Traveling Fans
- Admission to the Prusmack Rugby Center is free.
- Spectator parking is located 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.
Army-Navy Series
Across all sports, Navy leads the all-time series against Army with a 1,224-927-46 (.568) record, including a 48-6-3 record in the annual Star Series. Last year, the Midshipmen dominated the Star Series (17-8-1) and the overall series (25-12-1) against the Black Knights.
Along with the men's rugby Star on the line, the sprint football Star will also be decided in Annapolis this week. Kickoff for that game is set for Friday at 6 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and will be streamed on the
Navy Athletics YouTube channel.
Navy Sports Magazine
Senior
Kade Williams joined
Tim Nolan on this week's episode of the Navy Sports Magazine to preview the Army-Navy Star Match and discuss his journey to the Naval Academy. The full interview is available on the
Navy Athletics YouTube channel.
Navy Notes
- Navy's offense has been clicking on all cylinders, scoring 183 points in three games, while the defense has allowed only six points all season.
- The Midshipmen are averaging 9.3 tries per game, while the defense has yet to surrender a try.
- Navy's defense has allowed just nine possessions in its own 22-meter zone this season and has forced turnovers on all nine of those drives.
- The Mids continue their run of dominance in the Rugby East, winning seven-consecutive conference matches dating back to the 2024-25 season.
- Williams enters the week as Navy's top scorer with 29 total points, coming from 13 conversions and a penalty kick.
- Andrew Baublitz leads the Mids in tries with four, scoring at least one in all three games this season.
- John Masino has led the Midshipmen in tackles in every game. Masino recorded 14 tackles against St. Bonaventure, 12 against Air Force and nine against Mary Washington.
- Tanner Call and Avion Ganse made their season debuts at Mary Washington last week. Call appeared in eight games for Navy last season and ran in one try. Ganse finished second on the team with eight tries last year in 11 appearances.
- Reid Gerber and Sam Pirkl scored their first career tries in last week's victory over Mary Washington. Co-team captain Trevor Gayron also ran in his first score of the season against the Eagles.
Scouting Army
- The Black Knights open their Rugby East slate entering the weekend with a 3-0 overall record, having defeated Queens (75-7), Guelph (40-26) and St. Thomas (73-17).
- Nick Trout leads Army in total points (53) and conversion kicks (24).
- Howie Heller, Porter Kuebler and Chance Loudenback are tied for the most tries on the team this season (4).
- The Black Knights return their two scorers from last season's Star Match: Heller and Benji Kemp. Heller scored 11 points on three penalty kicks and a conversion, while Kemp ran in the team's only try.
Navy vs. Army
Navy holds a 7-0 record against Army since being elevated to varsity status, including a 3-0 record in Star Matches.
The Midshipmen and Black Knights squared off twice last season. Navy defeated Army last fall in thrilling comeback fashion, 21-16. The Mids scored 14 unanswered points in the final 10 minutes, highlighted by Ganse's match-winning try in the 78th minute.
The two teams then met in the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) DI-A Quarterfinals, where Navy ended Army's season with a 38-10 win in Annapolis.
Saturday's meeting will be the fifth match held in Annapolis against the Black Knights. In the previous four matches on their home pitch, the Mids have outscored Army 127-35.
Army-Navy Men's Rugby Star Match Results
- Nov. 10, 2023: Navy, 23-21
- Sept. 28, 2024: Navy, 32-5
- Nov. 15, 2025: Navy, 21-16
Last Time Out: at Mary Washington
The Midshipmen opened their Rugby East slate with a dominant 55-6 victory in their first road match of the year. Navy controlled the pace early, adapting well to the away environment to secure a decisive conference win.
Jack Skidmore helped spark the offense by evading defenders for a pair of tries, including the game's opening score in the 11th minute.
Sean Donohue added to the first-half advantage with a try of his own, while
Jake Cornelius anchored the kicking game with three successful conversions to keep the match well out of reach for the Eagles.
