Kutztown utilized a big first half to down Navy 30-21 Saturday in Kutztown, Pa.

The Golden Bears jumped out to an early lead when fullback Devon Somma hit a penalty kick and, five minutes later, loosehead prop Zack Jessel ran twelve yards for a try, which Somma converted.

The Kutztown forwards continued to a play a very tight, organized game, and hooker Jamie Gregory crashed over the line on a pick-an-go to extend Kutztown’s lead to 15-0.

Near the 33-minute mark, KU drove to within seven yards of the Navy goal line, before being awarded a scrum. The referee ruled Navy collapsed the scrum and awarded a penalty try, which Somma converted.

Navy flyhalf Jack McAuliffe sparked the Midshipmen with a 40-meter score under the posts that he converted himself. However, KU ended the half on the front foot with a Somma penalty.  

KU kept the momentum through halftime, and Jessel scored another try to put the Golden Bears up 30-7.

Both teams traded territory throughout the second stanza, and the Midshipmen never let up, applying more offensive pressure with quicker ball and determination

McAuliffe dotted down a second try in the latter half, and prop Alston Harper scored another. McAuliffe converted both.

“They were pretty good in the set piece. I don’t think we adjusted well. They played pretty well in the first half,” said Navy coach Mike Flanagan of Kutztown.

“The guys screwed it down a little bit, and I thought our performance in the last 40 minutes was much better than the first 40, but it wasn’t enough. You can’t give up a lead like that against a good team.”