The Army women's rugby team defeated Navy at Anderson Rugby Complex, 42-22, to claim the inaugural star as part of the Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA.
The game also marked senior night for the firstie quartet of Olivia Popp, Jeannie Skidmore, Molly Murtagh and Sylvi Imrem who each drew the start.
In front of a packed house at Anderson Rugby Complex, Army got out on the front foot, earning a penalty kick well within the range of standout sophomore Alissa Eisenhart who quickly gave the Black Knights a 3-0 advantage.
Army would continue its good start, getting the ball deep into Navy territory on multiple occasions in the following minutes. The Mids were able to hold strong at the tryline, winning the ball back twice from deep in their own end.
Army finally found its first try of the game 14 minutes in as Sophia Linder broke free from the left flank to touch down her fourth try of the season. Army got into a groove soon after, with Winter Favre picking up a loose ball from a Navy turnover and taking it the final 25 yards for a try which made it 15-0 in favor of the Black Knights following a conversion from Eisenhart.
Eisenhart continued her dominant play, scoring the next try for the Black Knights while also knocking in the conversion to give Army a 22-0 advantage as it was a dream start for the home side. After a Navy try and conversion to get on the board, Eisenhart delivered another penalty kick, giving her 15 of Army's first 25 points as the Cadets went ahead 25-7.
The high-scoring first half continued with Grace Macune recording her third try in Army's last two games to pull the Black Knights ahead 30-7. A late Navy try made it 30-12 heading into the second half.
The Midshipmen opened the second half with momentum, scoring a try before a penalty try quickly made the score 30-22.
However, Army responded through Asha Jarusinski who provided a spark off of the bench. Eisenhart had a brilliant pooch kick which found Jarusinski in stride for a try that made it 37-22 following an Eisenhart conversion.
With Army's defense holding strong for the remainder of the contest, Jarusinski put the icing on the cake for the Cadets, with her second try of the second half which brought the final score to 42-22.
Army closes out the NIRA 15s regular season having gone 3-4 in the conference.