BALTIMORE, Md. – The No. 18 Navy women's lacrosse team (7-2, 1-1 Patriot League) dropped a 17-12 decision to No. 8 Loyola (8-0, 3-0 Patriot League) on Wednesday night at the Ridley Athletic Complex. The Mids outscored the Greyhounds 8-4 over the final 32:16, but were unable to overcome a 9-2 second quarter run by Loyola.
 
"Loyola plays awfully well at home," head coach Cindy Timchal said after the game. "I could not be prouder of this team and their effort battling until the end. Losing stings, but we have to move forward as a team. We have a quick turnaround with a game on Saturday against Boston University. We need to put together some good practices the next two days to put us in a position to have a good outing this Saturday."
 
Navy finished the game with 12 goals on 32 shots, while Loyola was able to generate 17 goals on 33 shots. The Greyhounds scored seven free-position goals compared to one by the Midshipmen.
 
Emily Messinese led the Mids with four goals, notching her eighth hat trick of the season. She was joined by Tori DiCarlo, Anna Gotterup, and Kat McAteer who finished with two goals apiece. Maggie DeFabio and Emma Kennedy also found the back of the net in the game. Lindsay Beardmore, Mikayla Williams, and Kennedy accounted for Navy's assists in the game.
 
On defense, the Midshipmen caused six of the Greyhounds' 13 turnovers on the night. Felicia Giglio led the team with two caused turnovers, while DeFabio, McAteer, Jaclyn Johns, Morgan Lewis, and Emma Richardell were also credited with takeaways. Giglio earned the start at goal. The freshman worked just under 27 minutes allowing 13 goals and notching a pair of saves. She gave way to Richardell, who notched nine stops, while surrendering four scores. DiCarlo led the team with three ground balls, while Landen Cain, Giglio, and McAteer added two GB apiece.
 
Loyola gained extra possessions in the game by winning the draw control battle, 19-13. Messinese and Williams finished with four draws apiece, while Alyssa Daley won three draws. Caroline Gage and Caroline Stefans each recorded one draw apiece.
 
For Loyola, the trio of Sydni Black (5g 3a), Georgia Latch (3g 4a), and Chase Boyle (4g) once again led the top-10 Greyhounds in scoring. Additionally, Boyle won 12 draw controls, while Latch and Black added five and two, respectively. Lauren Spence earned the win at goal, recording nine saves in 55-plus minutes of action, surrendering 11 goals.
 
Loyola was the first team to score, taking a 1-0 advantage three minutes into the game. Kennedy knotted the score at 1-1 with a goal. The Greyhounds regained the lead with back-to-back goals. Messinese cut the margin to one, but the Hounds countered with a goal to extend the margin back to two. DeFabio scored just before the end of the first quarter to cut the Loyola lead to 4-3.
 
Loyola used a 9-2 run in the second quarter to extend its lead to 13-5. The Greyhounds opened the quarter with four straight goals before Messinese scored her second goal to briefly end the Hounds' run. The home team scored five in a row to go up 13-4 before McAteer ended the half with her first goal of the night.
 
Navy opened the third quarter with three straight goals to cut into the Loyola lead. Messinese netted back-to-back scores, while Gotterup rifled a shot into the back of the net. Following a Greyhound score, Gotterup once again dented the twine to cut the deficit to 14-9. Loyola used a free-position goal to end the quarter in front by six.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Midshipmen started the scoring as DiCarlo buried a shot in the back of the net to trim the margin to five, 15-10, with 12:45 to play. The Greyhounds scored back-to-back goals to push the advantage to seven, but goals by DiCarlo and McAteer once again cut the lead to five. Neither team was able to score over the final three and a half minutes with the home team registering a 17-12 victory.
 
Navy returns to action on Saturday, March 23, as the Midshipmen host Boston University at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Opening draw is slated for 12:00 p.m. The game, which is part of a doubleheader with the Navy men's lacrosse team, will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.