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Men's Rugby

Navy Men's Rugby Wins Star at West Point

Navy men's rugby claimed the Star on Friday night at West Point after Roanin Krieger connected on a penalty kick in the final moments for a 23-21 victory.

by Navy Sports Information

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Sophomore Roanin Krieger made the biggest penalty kick of his collegiate career to claim a 23-21 win for the Navy men's rugby team against Army on Friday at the Anderson Rugby Complex in West Point, N.Y.

The Mids trailed, 21-20, in extended time and Krieger nailed a walk-off penalty kick to end the contest. The play helped Navy win the inaugural men's rugby Star Match and extended its winning streak against Army to four matches. The Star Match is part of the Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA. 

Men's rugby earned the second Star win for Navy this season. The additional Star was won by the men's cross country team. Women's volleyball will look to win the third Star in its match against Army tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis, Md. 

"The rivalry always outweighs rankings and form. Army has lost only once on its home field since we beat them here last year. It was always going to come down to the final few minutes and champions find ways to win, which is what we did. We have a lot of work to do, but this is a great way to finish out our fall campaign"

Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickle

The Black Knights put the first points on the scoreboard in the sixth minute. Army struck for a try and nailed the ensuing conversion kick to jump out to an early 7-0 lead.

Navy wouldn't surrender any additional points in the first half and scored 17 itself to take a 10-point lead into halftime. 

Krieger gave the Mids their first points in the 19th minute on a penalty kick to trim the deficit to 7-3.

Tanner Russell provided the first try in the 29th minute to give Navy its first lead of the match. Krieger added another two points with a made conversion kick to make the score, 10-7. 

Vaughn Schmitz scored the second try of the first half for the Mids in the 37th minute. Krieger put another conversion kick through the uprights to increase the lead to 17-7.

Although Navy held a comfortable lead after 40 minutes, Army responded with a fast start in the second half to take the lead back. The Black Knights marched the ball into the try zone less than three minutes out of intermission and nailed the conversion kick to make the score, 17-14. 

Navy fell behind on the scoreboard again after surrendering a try in the 51st minute. Army's kicker made a huge conversion kick after the try to gain a 21-17 advantage.  

The Black Knights continued to hold strong defensively to keep the Mids out of the try zone over the next 19 minutes. Navy was able to keep its offensive pressure going and forced Army to commit a penalty. Coach Hickie opted to attempt a penalty kick and Krieger made the kick to make it a one-point game. 

The Black Knights maintained their one-point lead past the 80th minute and only needed to force play to stop to win the match. The Mids remained composed despite the pressure and worked the ball into scoring position. Army committed a costly penalty to grant Navy an opportunity to attempt another penalty kick in the 84th minute of extended time. Krieger booted the ball between the uprights to end the match and earn the Mids a thrilling victory.