BALTIMORE, Md. – The Navy women's lacrosse team (13-4, 7-2 Patriot League) was held scoreless for the final three quarters, dropping a 13-5 decision to No. 8 Loyola (16-1, 9-0 PL) on Thursday night at Ridley Athletic Complex in Baltimore, Md.
 
"This was our toughest opponent of the season," head coach Cindy Timchal said after the game. "They demonstrated how tough they can be at home. This was not reflective of how Navy typically plays, whether it is against Loyola or anyone else. We had the opportunity to create our offense, however, we came up short tonight. We had many offensive sets, but it didn't happen tonight.
 
"We had a lot to handle with their offense. I think we had the opportunities, but give credit to Loyola on the amazing season they have had. They had the opportunity to win the Patriot League regular season right here at home. We had a good fight. I feel like we fought to the very end. The shots didn't reflect how we played. We are going to get back to work tomorrow and get ready for our next game."
 
Defensively, the Midshipmen played strong, holding the Greyhounds to their lowest point total in a Patriot League game this season. Navy caused five of Loyola's 12 turnovers on the night, while picking up 13 ground balls. Alexis Bell (Johns Creek, Ga.) led the team with two caused turnovers, while adding a ground ball. Christine Fiore (Darien, Conn.), Grace Loughery (Perkasie, Pa.), Charlotte Ryan (Tully, N.Y.), and Jo Torres (Prince Frederick, Md.) led the team with two ground balls apiece. Torres finished the night with eight saves in a complete-game effort at goal.
 
Offensively, Navy tallied five goals on 23 shots with four assists for nine total points. Offensive team captain Reagan Roelofs (Apple Valley, Minn.) led the team with four goals, while Leelee Denton (Nashville, Tenn.) was able to find the back of the net. Kasey Dietzel (Warrenton, Pa.) tallied a pair of assists, while Lindsay Beardmore (Annapolis, Md.) and Ryan chipped in helpers.
 
In the first quarter, the Midshipmen were able to build a 5-3 advantage. Roelofs opened the game with a goal 30 seconds in to the game. Denton followed with a goal off a Dietzel assist to give the visitors a 2-0 advantage. Back-to-back goals by the Greyhounds knotted the game at two, but Roelofs responded with her second goal of the quarter. After a Loyola goal, Roelofs used consecutive scores to put Navy in front 5-3.
 
Loyola closed out the game with a 10-0 run to earn the victory.
 
The top-10 Greyhounds took control of the game in the second quarter. The home team outscored Navy 4-0 including a pair of free-position goals in the second period to take the lead that they would not relinquish.
 
In the third quarter, the Mids defense was able to limit the potent Greyhound offense to a pair of goals on four shots, including a free-position goal. Loyola added four goals in the fourth quarter to provide the final margin of victory, 13-5.
 
Navy will continue the season in the 2022 Patriot League Championship. The Mids can still earn a first-round bye and the No. 2 overall seed if Lafayette (1-7) defeats Army (6-2) on Friday (4:00 p.m.) in West Point. The Midshipmen will be the No. 3 overall seed and host the quarterfinals on Sunday, May 1, if Army wins. If Navy is the No. 3 seed, they will play either Bucknell or American.