ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The No. 19 Navy women's lacrosse team (2-0) posted a 16-6 victory over East Carolina (2-1) on Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Seven Midshipmen found the back of the net, including five that notched multi-goal performances as the Mids used a balanced effort to race past the Pirates.
 
"I'm so proud of this team," head coach Cindy Timchal said after the game. "After last year's one-goal game against ECU, we saw this as an opportunity to play better. I am proud of the team to secure this solid, decisive victory over ECU. I am proud of the way we came out; got the draw controls; executed on offense; and, in the second half, gained that separation that we wanted to not only secure the victory, but get young players and other players in the program in for some playing time."
 
Twenty-seven players saw action in the game on Saturday as Navy put together a total team effort.
 
Offensively, seven players scored goals with three hat tricks on the day. Emily Messinese led the offensive charge with a team-high four goals for her second hat trick in as many games. Tori DiCarlo and Kat McAteer each registered hat tricks in the game, netting three goals apiece. For DiCarlo, it was her sixth career hat trick and the first of the 2024 season, while the three scores were a career-first for McAteer. Maggie DeFabio and Lola Leone chipped in two scores apiece with Lindsay Beardmore and Mikayla Williams finding the back of the met once each.
 
Navy converted four free-position opportunities for the first time since scoring six free-position goals against Holy Cross last season. Beardmore, DiCarlo, Leone, and Messinese were each successful on eight-meter attempts.
 
Beardmore, DiCarlo, Leone, McAteer, and Emma Kennedy were each credited with assists.
 
Defensively, the Midshipmen caused seven of the Pirates' 13 turnovers. Leone set a new personal best with two caused turnovers to tie for the team lead in the game. Goalkeeper Felicia Giglio also caused a pair of turnovers to go with two ground balls. Williams led the team with three ground balls, while Beardmore, Giglio, Kennedy, and Caroline Gage each added two ground balls apiece.
 
Giglio picked up her second victory of the young season. The freshman worked just over 53 minutes in the cage, finishing with six saves, while limiting the ECU offense to just six scores. Emma Richardell entered the game in relief, working nearly seven minutes with a save and no goals allowed.
 
In the circle, Alyssa Daley won 11 of Navy's 18 draw controls on the day. The double-digit draw performance was the first of the season for Daley and the fourth of her career. Messinese added four draws, while Williams won a pair of draws for the Mids.
 
For East Carolina, Leah Bestany and Kayla Wilkes led the way with two goals each, while Brynn Knight (9 saves) and Jaime Behar (2) combined for 11 saves in a losing effort.
 
Navy used a 5-0 run to start the game and jump out to an early lead. Messinese put the Mids on the scoreboard a minute into the game with a free-position goal. Leone netted her first goal of the season to increase the advantage and McAteer netted the first of her three goals on the day. Leone and Beardmore each converted free-position opportunities to give Navy a 5-0 lead. Following an ECU goal, Navy closed out the quarter as McAteer recorded her second multi-goal performance of the season.
 
In the second quarter, DiCarlo scored her first goal of the year to get the period started. East Carolina trimmed the margin to 7-3 with back-to-back free-position goals, but Navy pushed the advantage to seven with a 3-0 run to end the half. Messinese found the back of the net for her second goal, while McAteer buried a pass from Beardmore to complete her first career hat trick. DeFabio followed with a goal to give the Mids a 10-3 advantage at the half.
 
Midway through the third quarter, the Pirates scored the first goal of the quarter to cut the Mids' lead to six. Williams pushed the advantage back to seven with a goal. DiCarlo notched her second tally of the game with a free-position goal to give Navy a 12-4 lead through three quarters of play.
 
Messinese scored a pair of goals around an ECU score to put Navy in front 14-5. Following a Pirate goal, DeFabio and DiCarlo closed out the scoring with goals to put the Mids up 16-6, securing the victory.
 
Navy will hit the road for the first time as the Midshipmen travel to Emmitsburg, Md. for a midweek tilt with Mount St. Mary's. Opening draw between the Mids and the Mount is slated for 4:00 p.m. at Waldron Family Stadium.