ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The No. 25 Navy women's lacrosse team led No. 24 Duke, 10-3, with nine minutes to play in the third quarter, but the Midshipmen (1-0) had to withstand a 6-0 run by the Blue Devis (0-1) to hold on for a 10-9 victory on Friday evening at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
 
Duke scored the final six goals over the final 24 minutes of play, but Navy was able to do enough defensively to come away with the opening day win.
 
"We held on for the victory," head coach Cindy Timchal said after the game. "It was a very tough opener for us. We had sidelined a couple of impact players, but I like the resilience of the team. Duke came with a lot of experience. I have a lot of 18-year-olds on the field. In the end, we would've liked to have scored again, but to hold Duke to nine goals and come up with the victory. I couldn't be prouder."
 
Navy finished the game with 10 goals by five players. Emily Messinese led the charge with three goals for her first hat trick of the season, while Maggie DeFabio, Kat McAteer, and Mikayla Williams each added to scores apiece. It was the first career multi-goal performance for McAteer and Williams. Lindsay Beardmore netted a goal, while Messinese, Williams, and Emma Kennedy provided assists.
 
Defensively, the Midshipmen caused of the Blue Devils' 17 turnovers. Seven different players were credited with a caused turnover in a balanced defensive effort by the Mids. DeFabio and Williams paced the squad with five ground balls apiece, while Caroline Stefans added three GB. Caroline Gage and Lola Leone each added two ground balls each.
 
Freshman Felicia Giglio earned the victory in her first collegiate start at goal. The rookie made six saves, while holding the nationally-ranked Blue Devils to single digit goals in the game. Additionally, she caused a turnover and picked up a ground ball.
 
Navy won the draw control battle on the night. The Mids were able to claim 17 draws compared to six by the Blue Devils. Draw control specialist Alyssa Daley won five draws individually, while pushing the ball out to teammates Messinese and Williams, who finished with five and four draws, respectively.
 
For Duke, Katie DeSimone led the way with three goals, while Olivia Carner added two scores. Carly Bernstein finished with three points with a goal and a team-high two assists. Goalkeeper Courtney Kaufman took the one-goal loss working a complete game, surrendering 10 goals and making 15 saves.
 
Duke was the first team to score, scratching the scoreboard with a goal five minutes into the first quarter. Navy countered with three straight goals to take a 3-1 advantage. McAteer evened the score and Williams gave the Mids the lead. DeFabio converted a free-position opportunity to put the Midshipmen in front by two. Following a goal by the Blue Devils, Messinese ended the quarter with her first score of the night to give Navy a 4-2 edge through one quarter.
 
In the second quarter, Navy continued to extended its lead, outscoring Duke, 3-1. McAteer once again started off the quarter with a goal, while Beardmore converted a pass from Williams for her first goal of the 2024 campaign. Williams slipped a ball under the goalie's stick to give the freshman her first multi-goal performance as a Midshipmen. Duke ended the Navy run with a goal to send the game into halftime with the Mids in front, 7-3.
 
Messinese opened up the second half with back-to-back goals to push the advantage to 9-3. DeFabio converted her second free-position goal of the night to give Navy a seven-goal lead, which would be needed. Duke closed out the third quarter with back-to-back goals to trim the Navy lead to 10-5 through three quarters.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils continued their comeback attempt. The visitors netted two goals in the first 90 seconds of the quarter to pull to within three, 10-7. A goal by Duke with 10 minutes to play in regulation trimmed the margin to 10-8. The defense for both teams stiffened and neither team allowed a goal over the next seven and a half minutes. With 2:39 remaining, Carner scored her second of the game to cut the Navy lead to just one. Carner won the ensuing draw control, but a turnover with 85 seconds to play, gave the Midshipmen the ball. The Mids were able to hold onto possession and run out the clock to preserve the one-goal victory.
 
Navy returns to action next weekend as the Midshipmen play host to East Carolina. Opening draw between the Mids and Pirates is slated for 11:30 a.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.