Army West Point Athletics
Friday, April 22
West Point, NY
7 P.M.
Army West Point
19
vs
15
Lindenwood
Black Knights Punch Their Ticket to USA Rugby D1A National Championship
April 22, 2022 | Men's Rugby
WEST POINT, N.Y. --- Army West Point Men's Rugby earned a trip to the 2022 USA Rugby D1A National Championship after outlasting Lindenwood in a gritty battle to secure the 19-15 victory at the Anderson Rugby Complex, on Friday night.
It was a fight from the start and scoreless for the first 14 minutes of the game. The Black Knights battled on the pitch, keep Lindenwood away from the try-zone. In the 15th minute of the contest, Army broke through Lindenwood's barrier with Maxwell Sackett leading the charge. Sackett crossed the try-zone and Army took the lead. Sean McNulty took the conversion and put Army up 7-0 over Lindenwood.
Lindenwood took advantage of a penalty kick in the 28th minute, cutting Army's lead to 7-3. The Black Knights had the final word of the first half by scoring a penalty try in the 38th minute to lead 14-3.
Out of the break, Koikoi Nelligan, with help from the Black Knights, powered past the line to score for Army. The Cadets held on to their 19-3 for 10 minutes before the Lions found a way to score in the 52nd minute.
It was a defensive battle for Army for the nest 28 minutes. Lindenwood was able to score one more time in the 71st minute to get within four of Army (19-15). The Black Knights held the line in the final minutes of the contest to win 19-15 and secure their spot in the D1A National Championship.
Quotable
"The brothers gave it their all tonight. Although a tough and skilled opponent, the brothers backed each other and played for each other. We are appreciative for the fans and those who support us. We pride ourselves on coming together when things don't go our way, and tonight we showed what the brothers are capable of." - Dom Tianga
"Very proud of our effort and resiliency. In the second half we lost our way on execution, but our guys refused to lose. They put everything they had into it, for each other and our jersey, legacy and brotherhood and I'm inspired by their indomitable will" - Coach Matthew Sherman
Up Next
Army will play in the USA Rugby D1A National Championship on Saturday, April 30, in Houston, Texas.
Follow Along
Join Army men's rugby fans on social media and follow the Black Knights throughout their 2021 season on Twitter (@armywp_mrugby), Instagram (@armywp_mrugby) and Facebook (Army West Point Men's Rugby Page).
It was a fight from the start and scoreless for the first 14 minutes of the game. The Black Knights battled on the pitch, keep Lindenwood away from the try-zone. In the 15th minute of the contest, Army broke through Lindenwood's barrier with Maxwell Sackett leading the charge. Sackett crossed the try-zone and Army took the lead. Sean McNulty took the conversion and put Army up 7-0 over Lindenwood.
Lindenwood took advantage of a penalty kick in the 28th minute, cutting Army's lead to 7-3. The Black Knights had the final word of the first half by scoring a penalty try in the 38th minute to lead 14-3.
Out of the break, Koikoi Nelligan, with help from the Black Knights, powered past the line to score for Army. The Cadets held on to their 19-3 for 10 minutes before the Lions found a way to score in the 52nd minute.
It was a defensive battle for Army for the nest 28 minutes. Lindenwood was able to score one more time in the 71st minute to get within four of Army (19-15). The Black Knights held the line in the final minutes of the contest to win 19-15 and secure their spot in the D1A National Championship.
Quotable
"The brothers gave it their all tonight. Although a tough and skilled opponent, the brothers backed each other and played for each other. We are appreciative for the fans and those who support us. We pride ourselves on coming together when things don't go our way, and tonight we showed what the brothers are capable of." - Dom Tianga
"Very proud of our effort and resiliency. In the second half we lost our way on execution, but our guys refused to lose. They put everything they had into it, for each other and our jersey, legacy and brotherhood and I'm inspired by their indomitable will" - Coach Matthew Sherman
Up Next
Army will play in the USA Rugby D1A National Championship on Saturday, April 30, in Houston, Texas.
Follow Along
Join Army men's rugby fans on social media and follow the Black Knights throughout their 2021 season on Twitter (@armywp_mrugby), Instagram (@armywp_mrugby) and Facebook (Army West Point Men's Rugby Page).
Players Mentioned
Fly Half
/ Men's Rugby
Flanker
/ Men's Rugby
Center
/ Men's Rugby
Flanker
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