Black Knights score eight tries in commanding Rugby East victory, setting stage for Navy showdown
WEST POINT, N.Y. – After three consecutive road matches, Army West Point men’s rugby returned to Anderson Rugby Complex with authority Friday night, dismantling Penn State 55-14 in a dominant Rugby East performance under the lights at Warrior Field.
The Black Knights (7-1 overall, 4-1 Rugby East) scored eight tries and controlled the match from start to finish, extending their winning streak over the Nittany Lions to seven consecutive victories. The emphatic win sets up a highly anticipated Star Series showdown with Navy next weekend.
First Half: Army Seizes Control
The Black Knights wasted no time asserting their dominance on home turf. Just four minutes into the match, senior fly-half Howie Heller opened the scoring with a penalty kick to give the Black Knights an early 3-0 lead.
Four minutes later, Isaac Gamboa crashed over for the first try of the night, extending Army’s advantage to 8-0. The Springfield, Va., native would add a second try in the 17th minute, showcasing the explosive attacking ability that has made him one of the Black Knights’ most dangerous weapons.
“It was awesome to be back at Warrior Field in front of an electric home crowd. The boys put on a performance we’re proud of, and we are excited to empty the tank for the final push of the fall season,” Gamboa said after the match.
Between Gamboa’s two tries, John Benson powered through the Penn State defense in the 13th minute for a try that Heller converted, pushing the lead to 15-0. The Black Knights’ forward pack was dominant in the set pieces, providing quality possession that allowed the backs to exploit space in the Penn State defense.
Andrew Bardak added another try in the 23rd minute, followed by scores from Kolbet Schrichte (30′) and Cort Schmidlin (34′) as Army built a commanding 35-0 advantage.
Penn State finally broke through in the 36th minute with a converted try to make it 35-7, then added another just before halftime to cut the deficit to 35-14 heading into the break.
Black Knights News:
- Army Women’s Soccer Advances to Patriot League Semifinals with Dramatic 2-1 Victory Over Colgate
- Army Men’s Basketball Opens Season with Dominant 73-49 Victory Over SUNY Maritime
- Army Women’s Basketball Dominates Season Opener Behind Record Three-Point Shooting
Second Half: Black Knights Pull Away
Any hopes of a Penn State comeback were quickly extinguished in the second half. Heller added his second penalty of the match in the 51st minute to push the lead to 38-14, and Army’s depth and fitness began to show.
Chance Loudenback, who has been a revelation for the Black Knights this season, scored a pair of tries in the 61st and 80th minutes, demonstrating the relentless attacking mentality that head coach Matt Sherman has instilled in his squad.
“Tonight was a great representation of what happens when we focus on our new best as a team. We have more stuff to work on, but we are excited for where we are at and the opportunity we have next week against Navy,” Loudenback said.
John Benson added his second try of the match in the 76th minute, and Kolbet Schrichte capped the scoring with a try in the final moments to seal the 55-14 victory.
Scoring Summary
First Half:
- 4′ | Howie Heller – Penalty | 3-0
- 8′ | Isaac Gamboa – Try | 8-0
- 13′ | John Benson – Try | 13-0
- 13′ | Howie Heller – Conversion | 15-0
- 17′ | Isaac Gamboa – Try | 20-0
- 23′ | Andrew Bardak – Try | 25-0
- 30′ | Kolbet Schrichte – Try | 30-0
- 34′ | Cort Schmidlin – Try | 35-0
- 36′ | Penn State – Try | 35-5
- 36′ | Penn State – Conversion | 35-7
- 40′ | Penn State – Try | 35-12
- 40′ | Penn State – Conversion | 35-14
Second Half:
- 51′ | Howie Heller – Penalty | 38-14
- 61′ | Chance Loudenback – Try | 43-14
- 76′ | John Benson – Try | 48-14
- 80′ | Chance Loudenback – Try | 53-14
- 80′ | Kolbet Schrichte – Try | 55-14
Key Performers
Army West Point
- Isaac Gamboa: 2 tries, dominant in attack
- John Benson: 2 tries, powerful forward play
- Chance Loudenback: 2 tries, relentless second-half performance
- Howie Heller: 2 penalties, 1 conversion, 8 total points (season total: 51 points)
- Kolbet Schrichte: 2 tries (1 scored, 1 converted)
- Andrew Bardak: 1 try
- Cort Schmidlin: 1 try
Heller continues to pace the Black Knights in scoring with 51 points on the season, while Richard Corbett III remains second with 27 points. The duo has been instrumental in the Black Knights’ success, combining tactical kicking with opportunistic attacking play.
Road Warriors Return Home
The victory marked the Black Knights’ first home match since September 27, a span of over five weeks. During that stretch, the Black Knights compiled a perfect 3-0 road record, defeating Mary Washington 32-7 (October 4), Mount St. Mary’s 24-15 (October 25), and rival Air Force 52-7 (October 31).
Head coach Matt Sherman emphasized the importance of returning to Warrior Field and the team’s focus on continuous improvement.
“We’re looking forward to returning home to Warrior Field, as we’ve spent significant time this year and recently on the road. Penn State is a tough team, and despite not always getting the results they’d have wanted, they have been tough and tight in every game, and we expect a very tough game Friday night. Our focus remains steadfast on climbing to a new best performance, we feel that the team has put in the work to earn that, and we’re motivated to take that step forward and upward Friday night,” Sherman said before the match.
The Black Knights delivered on that promise, showcasing improved set-piece work, disciplined defense, and clinical finishing in the attacking third.
Series Dominance Continues
Army improved to 9-7 all-time against Penn State and extended its winning streak in the series to seven consecutive matches. Last season, the Black Knights traveled to Happy Valley and emerged with a 24-7 victory, powered by a pair of tries from Heller.
This year’s margin of victory was even more emphatic, as Army outscored Penn State 8-2 in tries and controlled possession and territory throughout the 80 minutes.
Penn State, coached by Zac Mizell—brother of Army assistant coach Jake Mizell—remains winless in Rugby East conference play this season. The Nittany Lions showed flashes of quality, particularly in their two first-half tries, but were ultimately overmatched by Army’s depth, fitness, and tactical execution.
Looking Ahead: Navy Awaits
With the Penn State victory secured, Army now turns its attention to the most important match of the fall season: the Star Series showdown with Navy.
The rivalry match is scheduled for Friday, November 15, at 4:00 p.m. at Anderson Rugby Complex. The game is part of the Star Series presented by USAA, which celebrates the historic rivalry between the two service academies across multiple sports.
Army will look to carry the momentum from four consecutive victories into the Navy match, with the Black Knights riding high on confidence and home-field advantage. The team’s focus on achieving a “new best performance” each week has been a driving force behind their success, and the players are eager to deliver their finest effort against their fiercest rival.
“We have more stuff to work on, but we are excited for where we are at and the opportunity we have next week against Navy,” Loudenback said, capturing the team’s mindset heading into the rivalry showdown.
Home-Field Advantage
Playing in front of an energetic home crowd at Warrior Field provided a significant boost for the Black Knights. The atmosphere was electric, with fans creating a hostile environment for Penn State and providing vocal support throughout the match.
“It was awesome to be back at Warrior Field in front of an electric home crowd,” Gamboa said, highlighting the impact of the home supporters.
Army will once again enjoy home-field advantage against Navy, and the team will look to harness that energy to secure a victory in the most important match of the season.
Season Outlook
At 7-1 overall and 4-1 in Rugby East, Army is positioned as one of the top teams in the conference. The Black Knights’ only loss came earlier in the season, and they have responded with four consecutive victories, outscoring opponents 179-28 during that stretch.
The team’s balanced attack—featuring explosive backs like Gamboa and Loudenback, powerful forwards like Benson, and the tactical kicking of Heller—has made Army a formidable opponent. The defense has also been stout, limiting opponents to just 28 points over the last four matches.
With Navy looming, Army has an opportunity to cap the fall season with a statement victory and build momentum heading into the spring.
Fuel the Fight with Black Rifle Coffee
Army Rugby runs on grit, discipline, and great coffee. Black Rifle Coffee Company stands with the Black Knights and all who serve. Veteran-owned, veteran-operated, and committed to fueling champions on and off the pitch. Premium roasts for premium warriors.
Black Rifle Coffee Company: Coffee or Die. Go Army!
Go Army, Beat Navy! – From the Black Knights at Bad Dawg Sports
Subscribe to the Bad Dawg Sports Newsletter for exclusive Army West Point rugby coverage, rivalry game analysis, and insider access for just $12.50/year – LIMITED TIME OFFER! Visit our social media accounts and website for the latest news!!!
About Army Rugby
Army West Point men’s rugby competes in Rugby East and has established itself as one of the premier programs in collegiate rugby. The Black Knights play their home matches at Anderson Rugby Complex’s Warrior Field and are coached by Matt Sherman. Army’s rivalry with Navy is one of the most anticipated matchups in collegiate rugby, with the annual Star Series game drawing significant attention from the rugby community and military supporters nationwide.
Discover more from Bad Dawg Sports - Global Sports Coverage & Analysis
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
