March 8, 2008
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Sophomore Erin Rawlick scored seven points and freshman Meg Decker added six to lead Navy to an 18-6 victory over Cincinnati. The win improves Navy's record to 4-0 overall, while Cincinnati, also a Division I newcomer, falls to 1-3.
"We were concerned with today because Cincinnati is a feisty team and they play with a lot of energy. I thought we had to come out early and match their energy and play with a lot of focus," said Navy head coach Cindy Timchal. "Getting off to the fast start we did was key, and we stayed more vigilant to keep it going."
Navy wasted little time in jumping to an early lead against the Bearcats. Navy scored the game's first four goals in the first 3:16 of the contest, the first two coming by senior Kaylene Klingenstein. Cincinnati would cut the lead to 4-1 and then 5-2 with 23:42 to play in the first half.
That is when the Midshipmen, especially Rawlick took over, scoring six straight goals in an eight-minute span to push Navy's lead to 11-2 with 14:09 to play. Rawlick scored three of the goals, while freshman Katrina Nietsch scored a pair to close out the run.
The Bearcats cut the lead to 12-4 with 6:57 to play, but Navy scored the final three goals of the half for a 15-4 halftime advantage.
Navy opened the second half by scoring the first three goals for an 18-4 advantage. The Mids rarely looked to score in the second half, content to work the ball around the perimeter and working on their spread game.
Cincinnati tallied the last two goals of the game to cut the final margin to 18-6.
Rawlick scored seven points (5 g, 2 a) to pace Navy, and she now has 24 points (18 g, 6 a) on the season and has scored at least four goals in all four games. Rawlick leads a Navy offensive attack that is averaging 21.0 goals per game.
"It's just a great experience every time we step on the field and we are excited to play every game," said Rawlick. "We have had great teamwork so far this year and our offense is really working well together. I think it shows how much we have come together as a team."
Meanwhile, Decker, a freshman from Catonsville, Md., added six points on three goals and a career-high three assists.
"I thought Meg was fantastic today," said Timchal. "She had great energy off the ball and was really all over the field. We rely on Meg a lot to make plays. She can do a lot of things for us."
"The team plays its best when we are having fun," said Decker, who has 19 points on 14 goals and five assists this year. "It's important for us to have a good start to this season and we have worked really hard to get where we are."
Meanwhile, the Navy defense was strong again today, highlighted by senior goalie Natalie Blandon's effort. Blandon recorded six saves, with three of them coming on free-position shots and two others at point-blank range.
"Her performance was solid today," said Timchal. "The defense is still a work in progress, but it is getting much better with more and more action."
"We have a mindset that we are the underdog every game and that motivates us," said Blandon. "It gives us the incentive to go out and perform well."
In addition, Nietsch equaled a career high wtih three goals, while Amanda Towey added three points (2 g, 1 a). Klingenstein and Mary Ruttum scored twice, and Caitlin Mandrin Hill rounded out Navy's scoring with two points (1 g, 1 a).
Navy outshot the Bearcats, 27-19, and won 17 draw controls to the Bearcats' nine. Cincinnati turned the ball over 20 times, while Navy had 19 miscues.
The Mids will host Saint Mary's (Calif.) on Sunday at noon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, before battling Holy Cross on March 15 in the Patriot League opener in Annapolis next weekend.
# GO NAVY #
