ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Matching up with their service academy rivals, the Air Force Falcons, for just the second time since 2002, the Navy women's soccer team came out energized by a large boisterous crowd at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. Playing inspired soccer, the Mids (1-2) withstood a physical start by the Falcons (3-0) and looked to break into the scoring column first on Thursday night. Though not for a lack of effort by Navy, Air Force scored first in the 25th minute and never looked back as it added three insurance goals in the second half on its way to a 4-0 victory.
The host Midshipmen controlled the majority of the early action as
Sophia Ryan (Fr., Solon, Ohio),
Hannah Mulholland (Sr., Chandler, Ariz.) and
Chiara Cosenza (Sr., Westfield, N.J.) all recorded shots on goal over the first 19 minutes of play. The Falcons' lone shot on frame was dangerous though as
Natasha Stramrood (Jr., Cypress, Texas) had to charge off her line and using a diving kick save to deny Addie Doyle's look.
While making in-roads on the offensive end, Navy was lacking a bit in its defensive transition game as Air Force was able to counter and change ends of the field with speed and precision. The visitors quick-strike attack eventually resulted in the game's first score when Ashley Yenawine laid a pass off inside the box to Annika Jost for a goal at 24:21.
Embolden by that 1-0 advantage, Air Force immediately went on the hunt for goal number two as Stramrood was called into action for her second save of the half just over five minutes later. Neither team was able to find space for another shot on goal for the remaining 15 minutes of the period.
Coming out of the locker room trailing 1-0, the Mids were unable to draw even as almost immediately they were on their heels with the Falcons finding the back of the net on each of their first two shots on goal over the first 11:13 of play in the second half. Kendall Rippley made it 2-0 at 50:42 before Jordan Dillingham added goal number three at 56:13.
Down, but not out, Navy tried valiantly to scratch its way into the scoring column, though the iron was unkind multiple times during its comeback attempt, first in the 60th minute when
Helen Bonner's (So., McLean, Va.) shot clanged off the near post and later in the 70th minute when
Lauren Toms (Jr., Fairplay, Md.) was denied by the far post. Off of Toms' effort,
Jessica Black (So., Cedaredge, Colo.) recovered the rebound and got off a shot deep inside the box that was swallowed up by Air Force's goalkeeper Sydney Nelms.
The Mids kept Nelms busy down the stretch as they tested her with two more shots on goal over the final 20 minutes of regulation play.
Ellie McCarron completed the scoring for the Falcons with an unassisted marker at 88:14 to make it 4-0.
"You need to execute in the big moments," remarked head coach
Carin Gabarra post-game. "When those big moments come, you have to make the right decision; whether its finding the right pass, playing the right ball, getting into the right space or taking the correct shot. Those little things start to add up and can bite you, especially against quality opponents.
"We have the right players and have all the right pieces to put it together, but we've got to build a fire within from this game. We've got to learn and we've got to be better. We've got to look within ourselves and figure out how to score goals and take advantage of those crucial moments in big games. Air Force came out physical and did a good job of executing in the big moments."
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For the game, Navy out-shot Air Force, 19-14, though the Falcons were extremely efficient with their attempts as they put eight on frame versus six for the Mids.
Navy also held an advantage in corner kicks by an 8-4 margin.
The Mids will head out on the road for their first away game of 2026 with a Sunday evening tilt at the University of Delaware. Kickoff between the Mids and Fightin' Blue Hens is set for 6 p.m. in Newark.
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