The Rugby East Conference is a premier collegiate rugby conference in the United States, which determines its champion based on regular-season records rather than a playoff. The conference consists of Army West Point, Life University, University of Mary Washington, Mount St. Mary's University, U.S. Naval Academy (Navy), Penn State University, and Southern Virginia University.
Navy had to work for it, but they came away with a crucial Rugby East win Saturday and also sealed the Commander-in-Chief Trophy with a 26-14 defeat of Army West Point in Annapolis.
Army actually opened the game pressuring Navy and pinning the hosts in their own 22.
This weekend's slate of D1A games has a couple of key matchups, and one that is among the shining lights in rugby rivalries.
New D1AA program Loyola of New Orleans will take on a very difficult test against Arkansas State. The Red Wolves, for their part, are still rebounding from a coaching shift and relying heavily on veteran leadership to keep them on-task.
Mount St. Mary's came back from a 37-16 deficit to defeat Southern Virginia Friday evening in Emmitsburg.
Southern Virginia exploded for a big lead with about 15 minutes left, but the Mount finished the strong.
Despite the comeback, SVU Head Coach Paul Lasike saw plenty of positives.
West Point's explosive victory over Queens University Charlotte this past weekend showcased a somewhat newer offensive approach from the Black Knights, and it was also a big day for one particular player.
Max Doerfler, a second-year loose forward starting at No. 8, scored two tries and was an influence throughout the game. But that's only part of the story.
The Rugby East is not getting any easier.
This D1A conference sports hugely capable rugby teams from top to bottom. Navy has been in the D1A final in three of the last four seasons, including a championship in 2023. Army became the first cold-weather team ever to win a D1A title, taking home the trophy in 2022.
De La Salle HS
Saint Mary's (Rudy Scholz Finalist)
USA U20s (Captain)
USA Men's National 15s Team (Debut vs Georgia 2023 at age 20)
As a 17-year-old Spencer Huntley required a waiver to play for the USA U20s, an indication of how he was rated in the USA age-grade pathway. He got that waiver and impressed for the USA U20s, and then moved up to the USA U23s. He led the San Diego Mustangs to a national HS Club championship in 2024.
He also played in the SoCal single-school league for Cathedral Catholic.
Hope Rogers began playing rugby at age 16 in high school and continued to compete during her time at Penn State University. There, she won four National Championships, was crowned MVP on two occasions, was named to the USA Under-20s and earned Collegiate All-American honors for four years. Rogers was also an impressive discus player during her senior year in high school where she broke a school record and won Gold at Districts for the sport.
Mike played for Life College, Philly-Whitemarsh and played for the USA National 7s and 15s teams in the 1980s and 1990s.
He was also part of the Atlantis touring side, playing 7s for the team in several around the world.
