Two-time National Champion women’s lacrosse player Kelly Devlin joined the Navy women’s lacrosse team as a volunteer assistant coach during the fall of 2017 and was hired as a full-time assistant during the summer of 2019. Devlin, who began her coaching career working with the Navy goalies, now focuses on the Midshipmen’s offensive attack and has an active role in recruiting.
The 2021 season saw the Midshipmen finish the season 8-4 overall with a 4-2 record in the Patriot League and a 2-2 mark in the Patriot League South Division. Four members of the Navy women's lacrosse team were named to the 2021 All-Patriot League Team, including three selected to the first team. In addition, three Navy women's lacrosse players were named to the Patriot League All-Academic team. Ten (10) women’s lacrosse players combined for 19 Patriot League weekly honors
Alexis Bell (’22) was named a finalist for the 2021 Yeardley Reynolds Love (YRL) Unsung Hero Award. The YRL Unsung Hero Award recognizes the accomplishments of student-athletes who help their teams achieve success in ways that may not be measured in goals, saves or ground balls. The award recipients exhibit leadership as a positive role model and are involved in community service.
In 2020, Navy women’s lacrosse finished the season 2-4 overall in a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The season concluded prior to the Patriot League season.
Despite the shortened season, the Midshipmen finished the 2020 season ranked #21 according to the IWLCA Coaches Poll, extending their nationally rankings for 38 consecutive weeks, dating back to the final poll of the 2017 season.
Kelly Larkin (’20) was named Honorable Mention All-American by Inside Lacrosse, becoming a four-time All-American according to the publication. In addition, Larkin was named the winner of the Vice Admiral Lawrence Sword for Women, which is presented to that woman of the graduating class who is considered by the Association's Athletic Council to have personally excelled in women's athletics during her years of varsity competition.
Navy finished the 2019 season 16-5 overall and 8-1 in the Patriot League. For the third consecutive season (2017, ’18, ’19), the Navy women’s lacrosse team advanced to the NCAA Tournament, finishing the year in the second round. The 2019 season marked the first time in program history that the Midshipmen earned an at-large bid into the Tournament. The Mids won the NCAA First Round game for the third consecutive season, defeating No. 24 High Point, 16-5.
As a team, the 2019 squad finished in the program's top three in points (494), points per game (23.52), goals (323), assists (171), assists per game (8.14), shots (709), shots on goal (528), draw controls (358), draws per game (17.05), caused turnovers (188), and games played (21).
During the 2019 season, five members of the women's lacrosse team were named to the 2018 All-Patriot League Team, including four selected to the first team.
Kelly Larkin, a junior, became Navy and the Patriot League's all-time leader in points (346), while also becoming the first player in school and conference history with three 100-point seasons. Senior defensive captain Marie Valenti became the first player in Navy history (sixth in Patriot League history) with 100 or more caused turnovers (114), while also becoming the Mids' all-time leader in ground balls (181).
The Navy women’s lacrosse team advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for the second consecutive season in 2018. Navy ranked sixth in the final national polls, marking the second consecutive season that the Mids have finished the season ranked in the top 10.
During the year, Hall of Fame head coach Cindy Timchal recorded her 500th career victory, becoming the first Division I lacrosse head coach to amass 500 wins.
On April 14, Navy posted a 20-7 victory over Army West Point at Michie Stadium, marking the first time in women’s lacrosse that the Midshipmen and Black Knights competed against each other as part of the Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA.
As a team in 2018, Navy set the school record for points per game (24.41), goals (378), goals per game (17.18), draw controls (371), free-position goals (78), and saves (167), while ranking second in program history in points (537), assists (159), assists per game (7.23), shots (775), shots on goal (591), draw controls per game (16.86), and games played (22).
During the 2018 season, eight members of the women's lacrosse team were named to the 2018 All-Patriot League Team, four were tabbed All-American, and senior Jenna Collins was awarded the Vice Admiral Lawrence Sword for Women, which is presented to the woman of the graduating class who is considered by the Association's Athletic Council to have personally excelled in women's athletics during her years of varsity competition.
At North Carolina, Devlin, along with former Navy assistant coach Aly Messinger (2017-19), helped the Tar Heels win two National Championship titles (2013, ’16). Devlin was a three-year starter in the midfield and served as team captain her final two seasons at UNC.
She earned a spot in the 2015-16 U.S. National Team Tryout Pool during offseason. In addition, Devlin participated in the Carolina Leadership Academy in the Veteran Leaders program,
A native of Downingtown, Pa., Devlin was named to the All-ACC Academic team and was a member of the ACC Honor Roll. She graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in media and journalism, specializing in advertising.
Coming from an athletic family, Devlin’s sister, Courtney Devlin, played field hockey at Princeton and her brother, Pat Devlin, played quarterback in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins.
