KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- The United States Military Academy rolled up to Luckenbill Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 16, with the sole intent of remaining undefeated in conference play and avenging a 29-12 loss to the Golden Bears back in Sept. 2019. The Black Knights accomplished both feats, using 38 unanswered points to defeat Kutztown, 43-8, in a D1A Rugby East matchup.

The crowd of KU supporters filled the hill, but the skies darkened and threatened to bring thunderstorms into the game plan. Kutztown had prepared all week for what was expected to be a physically challenging game. The service academies always field a physically fit and aggressive side. The Golden Bears have been riddled with injuries all season long, but with Army in town, it was the closest they have come to calling themselves healthy. Still, forwards Matt Gelhaus and Breyten Maritz (Cape Town, South Africa/Paul Roos), remained out of the lineup and have missed all of the Rugby East games. The duo continues to rehab and work their way back to health. 
 
Army (5-1, 4-0 D1A East) started off the scoring in the 19th minute of the match. They kicked a high up and under which resulted in tackling the Golden Bear receiver deep in KU territory. The ball eventually found its way into the hands of an Army player and they touched down in the corner of Kutztown"s try zone. The conversion was no good as Army went on the board, 5-0.

Kutztown played solid defense and eventually found themselves in a penalty situation with the ball 35 yards from the try zone. Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe) chose to slot a penalty kick, trimming the Army lead to 5-3 at the 25-minute mark. Both sides played aggressive rugby but the Black Knights were winning the possession battle. The Army forwards formed a driving maul inside the Kutztown 22-meter line and proceeded to roll of it and drive across the try line for another five points and a 10-3 advantage 32 minuets into the match. The conversion was wide.

With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, Army once again had a massive mauling effort that drove Kutztown (3-2, 1-2 D1A East) back to their try line. The visitors strung together a few pick and go assaults that resulted in another try and conversion in front of the goal posts. The first half ended with Army leading the Golden Bears, 17-3.
 
The second half was all Army, as they exploded for four more tries and three conversions. The Cadets created havoc with numerous box kicks and an excellent chase line that put Kutztown under constant pressure. There was an intercepted pass and counter ruck that resulted in a turnover and eventual pass out on the fringe for a try. The larger Army forwards were taking their toll with the majority of possession as the second half ticked away. Kutztown put forth a valiant effort on defense, but the constant defensive obligations were overwhelming, not only physically but mentally.

The Golden Bears emptied their bench to replace two injured back line players and renew energy in the side. It paid off in the 72nd minute when KU wing Mate Krivikashvili (Kutaisi, Ga.) broke down the sideline for a 30-yard run that saw him off-load to lock, Alex Schlager (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity). Schlager took the ball at full pace and jettisoned into the corner of the Army try zone for the score. The conversion missed and that proved to be the last scoring effort of the game, as Army emerged with the victory.

The Golden Bears will be back in action Saturday, Oct. 30, when they travel to Annapolis, Md., to take on the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
The Kutztown Second Side saw their undefeated season come to an end as they fell to Army 30-0.

RUN WITH THE BEARS!
 

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KUTZTOWN VS. ARMY BOX SCORE
SATURDAY, OCT. 16, 2021
NORTH CAMPUS RUGBY PITCH | KUTZTOWN, PA.

FIRST HALF
18:44 – Army – Try – Steven Rohde (5-0 Army)
25:20 – Kutztown – Penalty Kick – Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe) (5-3 Army)
31:10 – Army – Try – Lucas Pattinson (10-3 Army)
38:40 – Army – Try – Koikoi Nelligan (15-3 Army)
39:50 – Army – Conversion – Sean McNulty (17-3 Army)

SECOND HALF
45:00 – Army – Try – Michael Amberg (22-3 Army)
46:00 – Army – Conversion – Sean McNulty (24-3 Army)
48:00 – Army – Try – Koikoi Nelligan (29-3 Army)
52:50 – Army – Try – Dom Tianga (34-3 Army)
53:30 – Army – Conversion – Sean McNulty (36-3 Army)
60:00 – Army – Try – Nathan Gould (41-3 Army)
61:28 – Army – Conversion – Sean McNulty (43-3 Army)
71:50 – Kutztown – Try – Alex Schlager (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) (43-8 Army)