Box Score Oct. 11, 2016 Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. â€" Two early first-half goals helped the Navy women's soccer team (6-8-2, 2-2-1 Patriot League) defeat Howard (8-4-2, 5-0-1 SWAC), 2-1, Tuesday night at Greene Stadium in Washington, D.C.
"We played a good Howard team and our players put Saturday's loss behind them to earn a good result tonight," Navy head coach Carin Gabarra said. "We however will need to play sharper if we are looking to keep up this momentum and get another good result Saturday against Colgate."
Navy came out strong in the first half, opening the match with two goals in the first 31 minutes to grab a 2-0 lead.
Sophomore Eleanor Pratt (New Orleans, La.) sparked the Mids first offensive opportunity in the 11th minute when she sent a pass over to teammate Cat Macklin (McLean, Va.) towards the top of the 18-yard box. Macklin took two touches to the top of the box, lofted a high-arching shot towards the net and over Howard goalkeeper Gabrielle Emilien for her first goal of the season.
Navy found itself attacking in Howard territory in the 31st minute when junior Megan Rogers (Orange Park, Fla.) sent a through ball past the Howard backline to teammate Baseley McClaskey (Grand Junction, Colo.). McClaskey, who snuck behind the Bison backline, dribbled into the box and ripped a hard shot underneath the crossbar for her first collegiate goal.
Down 2-0 in the second half, Howard found itself with a penalty kick opportunity following a Navy foul inside the 18-yard box in the 65th minute. Noelle Mccullom was given the nod for the penalty kick and finished for her fifth of the season.
Navy held advantages over Howard in shots, 13-10, and shots on goal 10-6, while the Bison earned a slight 2-1 edge in corner kicks.
Navy freshman goalkeeper Sydney Fortson (Claremont, Calif.) had a strong performance in her second career start, tallying five saves on six chances to earn her first collegiate win.
Navy will head back into Patriot League play for its final four matches of the regular season, beginning with a crucial league match versus Colgate on Saturday in Hamilton, New York. Navy currently sits tied-for third with seven points while Colgate (5-6-3, 2-3 PL) is tied-for fifth with six points.
