Harvard Rugby Defeats Army in First Away Game to Secure 4-0 Win Streak

In the Crimson’s first road trip this season, the team carried the momentum of an impressive season start to fight off Army in a tense 32-27 battle.

The team traveled down to West Point, New York, to face the Black Knights (2-2) in a rematch of last season’s national semi-final matchup, which saw the Crimson advance to the national final in a thrilling 26-19 win.

This game saw the return of senior outside back Cameron Fields who has been sidelined through injury for the first three games of the season. The 2024 national 7s Player of the Year had an instant impact off the kickoff.

Despite the Crimson (4-0) conceding an early try, Fields was quick to respond with her first try of the season, sidestepping Black Knights players from both sides on the wing to make it across the line. The conversion from junior scrum-half Ava Ference tied the game up in the 15th minute, 7-7.

This quick response did not dampen Army’s early momentum, though. The Black Knights were able to keep possession deep in Harvard’s defensive third for much of the first half. Despite a relentless fight by the Crimson’s defense, Army forced its way to another try.

The game became transitional — with neither team holding meaningful possessions. The Black Knights only broke the deadlock through electing to kick from a penalty 30 yards out and securing three points to pull the team ahead 7-17.

Harvard responded with senior fullback Skylar Jordan finding gaps in the Army defense and swerving through players to secure five points, narrowing the gap in the game to 12-17.

The Crimson struggled to find a way back into the game as the half was closing out and the Black Knights again kicked the ball from a penalty, giving themselves a lead into halftime at 12-20.

Harvard came out in the second half knowing the team had work to do to get back in the game, and immediately took ground from Jordan’s kickoff. The high pressure from the Crimson paid off with Ference opening the scoring in the second half for the team within four minutes, bringing Harvard within touching distance of Army, 20-17.

The 46th minute marked a tunring point in the game, when, after a few attempted individual drives from the Crimson, sophomore Josephine Mignone successfully weaved the last 25 yards of the field to put Harvard ahead for the first time in the game.

Despite the relentlessness of the Crimson defense, the Black Knights got a glimpse of hope after a player slipped through one of the Harvard tackles and charged down the middle of the field to the try line. With the conversion made, Army again led the game 22-27.

The Crimson’s resilience was on show as the team had to ride the waves of Army attack and be patient until an opportunity opened up to come back into the game.

With 12 minutes left, Harvard connected a string of passes, getting the ball wide to senior wing Lennox London. London then cut back across, demonstrating her agility and speed as she slipped through multiple Black Knight defensive players and drew Harvard equal again. The conversion was made by Ference to give the Crimson the advantage, 29-27.

As the final whistle drew nearer, Harvard continued to put pressure on the Army defense. When a penalty was awarded at the 22-meter line, Ference kicked through the posts to put the Crimson five points clear and give the team the final push needed to secure a fourth straight victory with the game ending 32-27.

The Crimson will again go on the road next weekend, heading to New Hampshire to face Dartmouth on Saturday, 27th September.

– Staff Writer Rhiannon Stewart can be reached at rhiannon.stewart@thecrimson.com.