Navy needed a late penalty goal to go it but the Midshipmen are still undefeated after beating Saint Mary's for the first time in the program's history.
In a high-intensity, hard-hitting match with a few errors and plenty of drama, the Gaels and the Midshipmen traded the lead six times with Navy finishing 30-28 victors.
Navy was on the attack early and found themselves against a defensive front that was coming up fast and hitting hard. That aggressive defense eventually force a loose ball which the Gaels toed ahead into Navy territory. Now it was the turn of Saint Mary's to face a strong defense; they were able to recycle ball and retain possession, but found themselves going backwards.
Fittingly, then, it was a defensive play that led to the first points, with a Navy pass being picked off by Ollie CLine and taken in for the opening try for the Gaels.
Down 5-0 Navy was able to put some sustained pressure on Saint Mary's. A nice snip from scrumhalf Sean Donohue got Navy close and then they mauled from a lineout. Referee Mike Lawrenson awarded a penalty try and a yellow card for the Gaels, and Navy now led 7-5.
That lead didn't last long as Cline was able to slot a 30-meter penalty goal to make it 8-7. Saint Mary's continued to test the Navy defense and this time it was the Midshipmen who got the yellow card. Cline punished them with a long-range kick and it was 11-7.
Still shorthanded Navy attacked off a maul. Jake Corneliius burst through to get them close, and while Saint Mary's held up Navy in-goal, the pressure was on. Saint Mary's hung on defensively and didn't give up a try, but they did commit penalties. With halftime approaching Navy opted for points, and Kade Williams slotted the kick.
Down 11-10 at halftime Navy was directly on the front foot for the opening part of the second half.
Navy fel into their shape and a flat pass to Trevor Gayron put him through a gap. He racned on into the Saint Mary's 22. Navy recicled from there and then an inside pass from Donohue to Drew Baublitz saw Baublitz in under the posts.
Williams converted easily for a 17-11 Navy lead.
Saint Mary's responded almost instantly. Smart offloads within the backs had Navy scrambling and then a long pass out to corward Colin Donnelly set up the try.
Navy 20 Saint Mary's 18.
