Army Defeats Queens in Rugby East Action

09.16.2022

Army West Point men's rugby defeated Queens University Charlotte 28-12 Friday night at Army's Anderson Rugby Complex to move to 2-0 in the Rugby East.

Army ran out to a 21-0 lead with some dominant forward play. Captain and prop Larry Williams, the 2021-22 Rudy Scholz Award winner as the top player in the country, crashed over for the first try of the day, wth flyhalf Jonny Haley converting for a 7-0 lead. The Black Knights then mauled it over for a second try, with hooker Max Brown touching it down. Haley converted again and it was 14-0.

The backs got involved for the third try, with wing Patrick Oglesbee capping off a well-taken team try. Haley converted again and Army led 21-0 with less than 30 minutes gone.

But after that the Black Knights eased off a bit. Queens got a try back and another, both in the latter part of the second half, to make it 21-12.

Army capped it off, however, with wing Adam Bazan racing in. Haley conversion finished the scoring 28-12.

"I think we lost our way a little bit in the second half," said Army Head Coach Matt Sherman. "Struggled to play in the right parts of the field and we lost our discipline a little bit. But also Queens is a good team; they are physical, athletic, and skilled."

There were some significant improvements in this game for Army compared with last week's clash with Kutztown. Their lineout was much improved and, said Sherman, they held their defensive shape more successfully. However, the most obvious improvement was the goalkicking. Haley was 4-for-4 in conversions, with three of them from the touchline.

"That was nice," said Sherman. "When Queens scored their second try it was a nine-point game If Jonny hadn't hit those conversions it would have been a three-point game. They work at it all the time. It wasn't just a reaction to last week. But it was good to see that."

Meanwhile, Army is starting to score tries in different wys.

"We've got the makings of a backline that can really do some damage," said Sherman.

Queens gets a week off before facing off with Kutztown on October 1. Army plays at Notre Dame College next weekend.