April 1, 2007
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy women's lacrosse team was held to a season-low goal total, but got a strong defensive effort from the entire team, knocking off Pittsburgh, 7-5, on Sunday afternoon. The win moves Navy's record to 9-3 overall, while Pitt, who is ranked 10th in the USL-WDIA computer rankings, falls to 5-1. Navy is ranked second in the same poll.
"Pitt played us very tough and beat us last year," said Navy head coach Cindy Timchal. "I was pleased that we were able to get the win, despite not playing our best game."
The Mids jumped out to a 4-0 lead on a pair of goals by freshman Mary Ruttum, Kaylene Klingenstein and Elise Chapdelaine 20 minutes into the contest. Pitt cut into the lead with just 1:01 to play in the first half. The Panther tally was the first surrendered by the Navy defense in the first half during this weekend's three games.
Navy led 4-1 at halftime and pushed the lead to 6-2 eight minutes into the second half, before Pitt started to rally. The Panthers would score the next three goals in a eight-minute span to trim the margin to 6-5. However, Chapdelaine rounded out the scoring with a backbreaking tally with 8:20 to play on a free-position shot. The Mids then stalled out the clock for its ninth win of the year.
Chapdelaine led the Mids with four goals (3 g, 1 a), while Ruttum chipped in with two points (2 g). Klingenstein and Valerie Cappelaere each score one goal each.
The Mids received a big blow midway through the first half when Klingenstein went down with a knee injury. She did not return in the game and was on crutches with her knee heavily wrapped during the second half. Her return is doubtful for the remainder of the season. Klingenstein entered Sunday's action with 43 points (33 g, 10 a), ranking third on the team in scoring.
"This is a big blow for our offense," said Timchal. "She was kind of a hidden gem this year and was really starting to come into her own. Other players are really going to have to step up in her place."
Navy outshot Pittsburgh, 22-19, and picked up 33 ground balls to Pitt's 29. Navy also forced the Panthers into 29 turnovers, including 19 in the first half.
"We are starting to really improve defensively, especially in settled situations," said Timchal. "We did a great job containing their offensive players and created more turnovers. But we have to be able to put our chances away and we didn't do that today. Our clearing game was very poor as well and something that we need to improve on. We aren't giving ourselves enough possessions when we turn the ball over on clears."
The Mids will battle their third Division I opponent of the year on Tuesday, traveling to Howard for a 4:00 pm contest.
"It's a game that we are excited for, simply because it's another Division I opponent," said Timchal. "We have played decent against our first two (Division I foes), and hopefully we can get over the hump."
# GO NAVY #
