Men's rugby grinded out an 18-12 win over the U.S. Naval Academy Saturday afternoon at the Prusmack Rugby Complex in Annapolis, Maryland.
 
The Midshipmen came into the contest undefeated and determined and the Lions gave up an early try, but managed to put pressure back on Navy from that point.  Center Anelisa Mteto played a key role in finding the gaps in the Midshipmen defense and scored in the 24^th minute.
 
"It was an awesome experience getting to play my first D1A conference game against a very tough and physical Navy team," he said. "I feel like the boys stuck together and toughened out a close and physical encounter against a strong opponent."
 
Wing Cristian Rodriguez added another try nine minutes later, but that would be the last the Lions saw of the whitewash.
 
The 20 mile per hour wind prevented the lineouts of either team from being much of an attacking platform, which resulted in a game about field position.  Prop Joe Stewart, although outsized by his opposite, kept the large Navy scrum under control.
 
"With the size of Navy, we knew that we would have to bring the physicality," he commented. "We were able to control the scrum and I'm proud of how the forwards played defensively. The kicking game from our backs was strong and they were able to capitalize on the opportunities presented."
 
Scrumhalf Richard Felton and fullback Evan Williams helped keep the Midshipmen pinned in their own end most of the match and wing Sam Chapman played a huge role chasing kicks and even came up with a few acrobatic catches to keep the Lions moving forward.  There wasn't another score until Navy earned a converted try in the last five minutes.
 
Earlier in the day, the Lindenwood second XV played an equally powerful Midshipmen second side team and came away with a 32-15 victory. The same weather conditions ensured that the match would be all about the contact area.
 
Lindenwood took a few minutes to settle into the game, but when the Lions did, their defense was fantastic.  Captain and second row Brandon Chalker led from the front despite earning a yellow card. 
 
"The boys played well today," he recounted.  "It was a tough day at the office with the wind and the size of the Navy pack, but the boys carried well up front."
 
The teams traded tries in a hard-hitting first half.  The Midshipmen converted their try to carry a 7-5 lead into the break. 
 
Two yellow cards late in the first half meant Lindenwood started the second half with 14 players. Scrumhalf Jack Desmond helped keep the team focused on the goal.
 
"The boys regrouped and came out strong in the second half," he said. "The pack did a wonderful job in retaining possession and providing clean ball."
 
The Lions put up 17 unanswered point in the first 13 minutes of the second half and never looked back. The two teams traded tried late in the match for the final margin. 
 
The Lindenwood first side improved to 5-1-1.  The Lions have a busy weekend with two road games November 16-17.  The first is against Michigan on Friday at Mitchell Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan beginning at 6:30 p.m. The second is against Davenport University at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.  Lindenwood will also face the STARS Rugby traveling invitational team on Sunday. The opening kickoff for that contest is slated for 3:30 p.m. at Hunter Stadium.