BALTIMORE, Md. – The Navy women's soccer team went up to Baltimore on Friday night and came away with a 2-1 win over Loyola courtesy of a pair of goals by junior defender Alex Jackson (Centennial, Colo.). Looking to move to 2-0 in Patriot League conference play, Jackson's offensive prowess supplied the Mids (5-3-3, 2-0 PL) with all of the scoring that they would need in the matchup versus the Greyhounds (3-6, 0-2 PL) at the Ridley Athletic Complex.  
 
"This was a typical Patriot League game, it was hard fought and tight throughout," remarked head coach Carin Gabarra. "Defense controlled the action and neither team had an abundance of high percentage scoring opportunities. We did a good job of making our set pieces count with both of our goals coming as a result. This wasn't the prettiest of games, but the effort was good and we got the win. In league play, it's all about getting winning results."
 
Gabarra's assessment of the defensive efforts by both teams was illustrated by a quick look at the box score as the teams combined for just five total shots in the first half with both the Mids and Greyhounds each putting only one attempt on frame. Both shots on goal were memorable as Jackson made Navy's opportunity count on the scoreboard with her third goal of the 2018 season. Coming as a result of a Loyola foul in its defensive third, Baseley McClaskey (Jr., Grand Junction, Colo.) started the scoring play with a well-struck free kick into the box where Karli Sottung (Sr., Westfield, N.J.) flicked the ball on via header to Jackson, who finished inside the eight-yard box at 32:08.
 
Loyola's first half shot on goal was notable due to Sydney Fortson's (Jr., Claremont, Calif.) effort in goal. Looking for the equalizer in the final minute of play in the half, the Greyhounds' Hannah Hoefs put a free kick shot on goal from just outside the 18. Whizzing towards the net, Fortson leapt up from her position and swatted the ball away to preserve the 1-0 lead going into halftime.
 
The action opened up a little more in the second half as both teams registered five shots a piece. Putting two shots on goal during this period, the Mids made their second opportunity leave a mark as Jackson found the back of the net at 80:57 off of a McClaskey corner kick and Molly Gillcrist (Fr., San Diego, Calif.) volley. This marked the first multi-goal game of Jackson's career, as well as the first collegiate assist for Gillcrist.
 
Up 2-0 late, Navy withstood a valiant Loyola comeback attempt as the hosts converted a corner kick goal of its own at 84:57 before putting a dangerous game-tying attempt on goal with less than five seconds to go in the game. Once again it was Hoefs testing Fortson and once again the Mids' junior goalkeeper was up to the task as she made the save with just two seconds flashing on the scoreboard.
 
In their 2-1 victory, the Mids were outshot 8-7 by the Greyhounds. Loyola also led Navy in shots on goal, 4-3 and corner kicks, 6-2.

Fortson made three saves for the Mids in goal.
 
Friday's victory was the third in a row for Navy and capped a 2-0 week as the Mids went into D.C. on Monday night and defeated the Howard Bison, 3-2. During this run of play, Jackson scored three goals, while her fellow defender, McClaskey added a goal and three assists. McClaskey has now tallied points in five straight games (4g, 4a) dating back to Sept. 7 and runs her season total to 16 points with six goals and four assists over 11 games.
 
Navy will be back in action on Wednesday night at home with 7 p.m. tilt versus Patriot League conference foe American.