ANNAPOLIS, Md. – In a constant deluge of wind and rain, the No. 25 Navy women's lacrosse team (12-5, 6-3 Patriot League) dropped a 15-7 decision to No. 9 Loyola (15-2, 9-0 Patriot League) on Friday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
 
"I thought we really played well," head coach Cindy Timchal said after the game. "Maybe the score isn't as reflective, but I thought we played some really good lacrosse. There were times that the Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year – Wilson and Detwiler – hurt us. It really showed on the draw and playing tough D. I feel as though we did a lot of things well. There are some things we want to clean up because we step out on the field against Boston University on Sunday."
 
The victory increased the Greyhounds' streak to 75- consecutive regular-season games won against Patriot League opponents. Loyola is 89-3 in games against conference opponents with the three losses coming at the hands of Navy in the 2017 and 2018 Patriot League Championship and the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
 
"We don't like losing to Loyola, but there is a reason they have been so successful and dominant in our conference, but I thought our players played hard and tough. We now look forward to playing the first game of the conference tournament."
 
Offensively, Navy tallied seven goals on the night, tying for the most goals surrendered by Loyola to a Patriot League opponent this season. Tori DiCarlo (Rosemont, Pa.) led the way with three goals, marking the fourth hat trick of the season for the sophomore. Lola Leone (Bay Shore, N.Y.) added a pair of goals – her eighth multi-goal performance of the season. Maggie DeFabio (Summit, N.J.) and Emily Messinese (Manchester, Md.) notched one goal each, while Charlotte Ryan (Tully, N.Y.) registered the Mids' only assist. With the goal, Messinese, who leads the Mids with 42 total goals, has registered at least one score in all 17 games this season.
 
On defense, the Midshipmen held strong against the potent Greyhound attack for a majority of the game. Loyola was able to use a 3-0 run in the final minute of the second quarter and a 4-0 run in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter to notch seven of the team's 15 goals. Aside from the two runs, Navy limited Loyola to just eight scores in the other 56 minutes of the contest. Emma Richardell (Bethesda, Md.) finished the game with nine saves and three ground balls with a caused turnover at goal. Athena Corroon (Greenwich, Conn.) paced the team with five ground balls, adding a caused turnover.
 
Loyola held a 17-9 advantage in the draw controls, gaining extra possessions. Messinese led Navy with four draws, while Ava Yovino (Parkland, Fla.) won a pair of draws. Alyssa Daley (Walkersville, Md.) and Ryan each registered draws on the night.
 
For Loyola, Jillian Wilson and Emily Wills led the way with six points apiece. Wilson registered a game-high five goals, while Wills was balanced with three goals and three assists. Sydni Black also finished with a hat trick, netting three goals. Lauren Spence earned the victory at goal finishing with eight saves.
 
Navy was the first team to score as Leone broke the scoreless tie 40 seconds into the first quarter. Loyola responded with three goals to take a two-goal lead, but Leone trimmed the margin to one with her second score of the first quarter.
 
In the second quarter, the Greyhounds extended their advantage to 5-2 with back-to-back goals, but DiCarlo scored her first goal to trim the margin to two at 5-3 with 7:10 remaining in the half. The score remained 5-3 until the final minute of the half as Loyola rattled off three straight scores to go into halftime in front 8-3.
 
DeFabio buried a free-position opportunity to start the scoring in the third quarter. Following a Loyola goal, Messinese buried a ball in the back of the net to trim the margin to 9-5.
 
The fourth quarter saw the Greyhounds push their advantage to six, 11-5, with consecutive scores to start the period. DiCarlo netted her second goal to trim the tally to five, but Loyola used a 4-0 run in the final three minutes to extend its lead to 15-6. DiCarlo completed her hat trick and provided the final margin, netting her third goal of the night with four ticks remaining on the clock.
 
Navy turns its attention to the 2023 Patriot League Tournament as the Midshipmen host Boston University in the quarterfinals on Sunday, April 30 at noon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.