TOWSON, Md. – The Navy women's soccer team improved to 2-0-1 on the young season as the Mids scored in the third minute courtesy of Caitlin Doran (Jr., Queens, N.Y.) and received a clean sheet effort from Mattie Gallagher (So., Gilbertsville, Pa.) as the visitors notched a 1-0 victory at Towson University (1-1-1). The Mids' defense showcased a strong brand of poised, physical defending throughout the 90 minutes at Tiger Field on a hot, humid Thursday evening.
 
"Our defense was key today," remarked head coach Carin Gabarra. "It was a north-south game with a very high pace of play. That was a hard-fought victory for us. We showed a lot heart to stay in game and commit to defending relentlessly until the end. We played under control and made sure that Towson wasn't able to get clean looks.
 
"I liked the fact that we got better as the game wore on. That's an athletic Towson team and we showed composure on the ball as the game moved on. We made the most of our chances and were tight defensively all night. It's always great to get a win on the road and this is the first of four in a row away from Glenn Warner for us."
 
The action at Tiger Field started fast for the visiting Midshipmen as Doran put them up 1-0 in the third minute of play. In a quick build up the left side, Molly Gillcrist (Sr., San Diego, Calif.) whipped a curling cross right along the six-yard box to the waiting Doran, who easily one-timed the ball into the back of the net.
 
Navy's defense made that one-goal lead hold up for the remainder of the first half, as Towson pressured Gallagher and her defenders with six shots, though only two attempts made their way on target. Gallagher easily controlled both of the Tigers' lengthy shots on goal, one in the 14th minute and another in the 35th.
 
The Mids' search for an insurance goal came up empty over the final 42 minutes of the first stanza as both shots on goal, one by Katie Herrmann (So., Charlotte, N.C.) and the other by Jenna Daunt (So., Haymarket, Va.) were unable to beat the Tigers' goalkeeper Riley Melendez.
 
Coming out of the halftime intermission up one goal, Navy's defense showed up with strong efforts almost immediately as Herrmann, Gallagher and Carolyn Mang (Sr., Forest Hill, Md.) all broke up Towson attacks with deflections of shots and interceptions of crosses deep in their own zone.
 
As the clock ticked under 20 minutes to go, Gallagher was tested with a pair of high percentage looks on goal by the Tigers as Phoebe Canoles lined up shots on target within 63 seconds of each other for the sophomore's third and fourth saves of the contest.
 
Daunt had Navy's best chance to extend Navy's lead in the 76th minute as she received a lead pass from Herrmann in stride, found space and ripped a shot, though Melendez sprinted off her line to deflect away the attempt.
 
Towson's final opportunity to knot the contest game came two minutes later when once again Canoles came in possession of the ball and fired a shot on goal only for Gallagher to stonewall her.
 
Over the final 12-plus minutes, Navy withstood every last Towson rush as the Mids' defense played composed and physical to the final whistle.
 
In the 1-0 shutout victory, Navy was outshot by Towson, 12-10, though both teams recorded five shots on goal. The Tigers finished with a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Gallagher registered her fourth career clean sheet with five saves. Thursday's game marked the third straight contest to start this season that Gallagher finished with five saves.
 
Navy will be back on the road this Sunday with a short trip to College Park for a 4:30 p.m. showdown with the University of Maryland.