ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The No. 17 Navy women's lacrosse team (9-3, 3-1 Patriot League) posted a 21-6 victory over Bucknell (3-7, 1-3 Patriot League) on Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The game, which was presented by First Command, served as Senior Day for the Midshipmen.
 
Prior to the game, the Mids recognized the senior class for their efforts both on and off the field. The Midshipmen have nine senior players – Emily Armero, Lindsay Beardmore, Anne Culicerto, Leelee Denton, Katie Golbranson, Kate Hartnett, Annie Newton, Caroline Stefans, and Isabelle Thornburg – along with student manager, Will Clark.
 
"It was a wonderful opportunity for these 2024 seniors," head coach Cindy Timchal said after the game. "I am just so proud. Today is all about Navy women's lacrosse, which is a credit to the seniors. We are proud to be on the field together for this wonderful celebration. This is what competition is all about. We had a great sendoff for our seniors. We still have a lot of lacrosse to play, which is even more exciting. We had the celebration now, but we still have a lot of our season left."
 
Offensively, Navy scored a season-high 21 goals on 36 shots. Ten different Midshipmen found the back of the net with five notching multiple scores, including four hat tricks. Tori DiCarlo and Emily Messinese led the way with four goals apiece. Messinese added a team-high three assists to give her a team-best seven points on the day. Lola Leone and Kat McAteer added hat tricks with three goals apiece, while Emma Kennedy chipped in a pair of scores. Seniors Beardmore and Hartnett each found the back of the net with Maggie DeFabio, Anna Gotterup, and Sophia Neitzell added scores. DeFabio followed Messinese with helpers, while McAteer, Mikayla Williams, and senior Annie Newton were each credited with assists.
 
The Midshipmen defense held its ninth opponent of the season to single-digit goals, limiting the Bison to six goals total. The Mids caused five of Bucknell's 14 turnovers with DeFabio leading the charge with two caused turnovers. Additionally, Leone, Messinese, and Williams all recorded takeaways. As a team, the Mids picked up 19 ground balls with five players – Jaclyn Johns, Grace Peterson, DeFabio, DiCarlo, and Williams – registering two ground balls apiece.
 
Navy earned extra possessions, winning 20 of 29 draw controls on the day. Alyssa Daley once again led the way with nine draws, while Messinese added four and Williams won a pair.
 
All three Midshipmen goalkeepers saw action in the game. Felicia Giglio earned the start, working 45 minutes between the pipes allowing three goals with four saves. Emma Richardell worked 8:19 before giving way to senior Culicerto for the final 6:41.
 
For Bucknell, Katie Brown led the way with three points on a team-high two goals with an assist while Regan Sansiviero led the Bison with two assists. Goalie Colleen Kazanjian had 10 saves in a complete game effort, allowing 21 by the Midshipmen.
 
In the first quarter, Navy jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead thanks to goals by DiCarlo, Messinese, Beardmore, and McAteer. Bucknell briefly halted the run with a goal, but the Midshipmen ended the period with four straight goals by Leone, DiCarlo, Gotterup, and Kennedy to take an 8-1 lead into the second quarter.
 
Messinese and Hartnett opened the scoring in the second quarter with goals that were matched by Bucknell. The Mids responded with a 9-0 that carried into the fourth quarter to take a double-digit lead that it would not relinquish. Leone (2x), McAteer (2x), Messinese (2x), DeFabio, DiCarlo, and Kennedy all scored goals during the run. DiCarlo and Neitzell added the final two goals for the Midshipmen as Navy secured the win, 21-6.
 
Up next, Navy travels to Worcester, Mass. for a Patriot League game at Holy Cross on Saturday, April 6. Opening draw is slated for 1:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.