ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Senior team captain
Ava Yovino scored with 68 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to break a 10-10 tie, giving #4 Navy an 11-10 victory over Arizona State (5-5) on Tuesday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Midshipmen improved to 9-0 on the season, matching the best start in program history.
"The one thing that Ava has is a true belief in Navy women's lacrosse," head coach
Cindy Timchal said of her team captain. "And that kind of belief really shines, and particularly when the game was on the line.
"They pushed us to the limit. Arizona State played inspired and pushed us to the limit. I think today was a true character win for our team. It's all about character, love for each other, and believing in ourselves. It was exciting, and I think, if anything, it built some character for our team going into the next game on Saturday."
The 9-0 start ties the nine wins to start the 2014 season. Navy finished the 2014 campaign 14-3 overall.
Seven different Mids combined to score 11 goals on the day.
Mikayla Williams led the team with three goals, notching her sixth consecutive hat trick.
Alyssa Chung and
Maggie DeFabio added two score apiece, while
Anna Gotterup,
Emma Kennedy,
Taylor Miles, and Yovino each finding the back of the net. Chung led the way with two assists, while DeFabio, Gotterup, and Miles each added helpers.
Defensively,
Felicia Giglio worked a complete game at goal. The junior finished with eight saves in winning effort. She caused a team-high three turnovers while picking up three ground balls. Yovino joined Giglio with the team lead of three ground balls.
Landen Cain and Kennedy added two ground balls apiece.
Arizona State, who entered the game ranked second in the NCAA in draw controls per game, held a slight 12-11 edge in the draw circle.
Maura Murphy led the Mids with four draw wins with Yovino adding three, including the final draw of the game that allowed the Midshipmen to run out the clock and preserve the victory. Kennedy added two draws with
Caroline Gage and Williams adding one apiece.
For the Sun Devils, Lydia Oldknow led the way with five points on a team-high four goals and an assist. Jordyn Behar added four points on two goals and a team-high two assists. Kendal Morris led ASU with two caused turnovers and seven different players picked up ground balls. Anna Viglione led all players with nine draw controls. Ryan Spichiger allowed 11 goals with eight stops in a complete-game effort.
Navy was the first team to score as Miles broke a scoreless tie with a goal. Arizona State countered with back-to-back goals to take a 2-1 advantage. DeFabio knotted the score at two apiece and Williams gave the Mids a one goal lead through one quarter.
In the second quarter, the Midshipmen pushed the advantage to 7-2, completing a 6-0 run that started in the first period. DeFabio began the second quarter with her second goal of the game. Kennedy followed with a score to push the lead to 5-2. Back-to-back free-position goals by Chung gave the Midshipmen a five goal lead, 7-2. ASU scored to cut the margin to four, but goals by Williams and Gotterup closed out the half with Navy in front 9-3.
The Sun Devils outscored the Midshipmen, 3-0, in the third quarter to close the gap to 9-6. Williams scored on a free-position opportunity to start the fourth quarter, putting Navy in front, 10-6. Arizona State used a 4-0 run to tie the game at 10-10 with four and a half minutes to play.
The two teams held one another scoreless until Yovino was able to break the tie with 68 seconds remaining in regulation. On the ensuing draw control, Yovino was able to secure the draw, allowing Navy to run out the clock and secure the victory.
Up next, Navy continues Patriot League play, hitting the road to take on Holy Cross on Saturday, March 21 at 12:00 p.m. in Worcester, Mass. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats available throughout the game.
