April 22, 2017 Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy women's lacrosse team battled the elements and Bucknell (9-6, 4-4 Patriot League) on Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, coming away with a 7-4 victory over the Bison. With the win and Loyola's victory over Lafayette, the Midshipmen (12-4, 7-1 PL) have secured the No. 2 seed in the Patriot League Tournament and a first round bye.
"We knew today was going to be a tough one," head coach Cindy Timchal said after the game. "We have a lot of respect for Bucknell. They have had a wonderful season. I felt like our team was very resilient. We weren't shooting very well and their goalie was coming up with big saves. We had to grind this game out."
Offensively, Navy scored a season-low seven goals with Jenna Collins (Clarksville, Md.) and Meg O'Donnell (Forest Hill, Md.) each recording hat tricks. For Je. Collins, it was the junior's 10th hat trick of the season and the 20th of her career, while it was O'Donnell's sixth three-goal performance of the season and the eighth of her career. The duo was joined by Andie O'Sullivan (Valley Cottage, N.Y.) who also scored a goal on the day.
All seven of the Mids' goals on the day were assisted with O'Sullivan and Kayla Harris (Arnold, Md.) leading the team with two helpers each. Julia Collins (Clarksville, Md.), Kelly Larkin (Alexandria, Va.), and Morgan Young (Baltimore, Md.) each chipped in an assist apiece.
Defensively, Ingrid Boyum (Herndon, Va.) picked up her 12th victory of the season at goal. The junior allowed four goals, while making four stops on the day. The defense put pressure on the Bison all day. Bucknell finished the game with 24 turnovers, including 15 caused by the Midshipmen. Meghan Hubley (West Chester, Pa.) and Marie Valenti (Bechtelsville, Pa.) paced the team with three caused turnovers apiece.
Prior to the game, the women's lacrosse team recognized its five seniors for their efforts on an off the field. The Midshipmen recognized Libby Field (Flourtown, Pa.), Molly McGuckin (Glenmoore, Pa.), Aislinn Probst (Arnold, Md.), as well as senior captains Hubley and Young.
"I am just so proud of the seniors," Timchal said. "They have led this team. The seniors have been the anchor for this team. They have been very tough at practices and on the field and it was no different today."
In the first half, the two teams played even. The weather played a big part in the first half, limiting the two teams to a combined 15 shots in the first half with 25 combined turnovers.
Bucknell was the first team to score as Audrey Walsh took a pass from Christina Manis and found the back of the net to put the visitors ahead 1-0 with 20:25 to play in the first half.
Navy responded with a pair of goals to take its first lead of the game. O'Sullivan took a pass from Harris and buried it in the back of the net to even the score at 1-1 with 16:53 to play. Just over one minute later, Ju. Collins threw a pass across the middle to her sister Je. Collins who gave the Mids a 2-1 advantage with 15:44 remaining in the half.
The Bison answered with a goal by Becca Golding with 12:56 to play.
The two teams entered halftime knotted at 2-2 as neither team was able to score in the final 12:56 since defense and weather limited opportunities.
In the second half, Bucknell's Golding got the scoring going netting a free-position goal to give the Bison a 3-2 advantage just over five minutes into the half. The goal at 24:23 would be the only goal for Bucknell until the 1:59 mark in the second half as the Navy defense held the Bison scoreless for nearly 22 and a half minutes.
Navy responded with five consecutive goals by Je. Collins and O'Donnell. Je. Collins began the run, taking a pass from Young and scoring the equalizer. O'Donnell scored the go-ahead goal with an assist from O'Sullivan with 12:16 to play. Just 2:15 later, Je. Collins took a pass from O'Sullivan and hit pay dirt with her third goal of the game. O'Donnell used assists from Larkin and Harris for back-to-back goals to put the Midshipmen up for good.
The Bison's final goal came with just under two minutes to play (1:59) on a free-position opportunity. The Midshipmen were able to run out the clock in the final two minutes to secure the 7-4 victory.
Navy returns to action next Saturday as the Mids conclude the regular season on the road with a Patriot League game at Lafayette. Opening draw is slated for 1:00 p.m.
