Comeback Falls Short As #17 Women’s Lacrosse Edged By Georgetown – Naval Academy Athletics

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Trailing by six, the No. 17 Navy women’s lacrosse team (7-2) mounted a fourth-quarter comeback that fell just short as the Midshipmen dropped a 13-12 decision to Georgetown (5-4) on a rainy Wednesday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Mids scored the final five goals of the game, but were unable to net the equalizer in the final nonconference game of the regular season.

 

“Unfortunately, we had a little bit of a slow start,” head coach Cindy Timchal said after the game. “Georgetown played some inspired lacrosse. We just needed to step it up sooner than we did. They have a really good goaltender. We knew that. She came up with some big saves early. Some shots that normally fall, didn’t. Our players played their hearts out and we were all in at the very end. It is unfortunate that we just ran out of time.”

 

Offensively, Navy scored 12 goals with four assists for 16 total points. Senior offensive captain Reagan Roelofs (Apple Valley, Minn.) paced the squad with a career-high four goals, while fellow senior Gil Eby (Towson, Md.) added three goals for her first hat trick of the season. Bobbie Haney (Woodbine, Md.) and Leelee Denton (Nashville, Tenn.) added a pair of scores, while Charlotte Ryan (Tully, N.Y.) rounded out the scoring with a goal. Lindsay Beardmore (Annapolis, Md.) contributed two of Navy’s four assists on the night.

 

Defensively, Navy caused six turnovers, including a pair of caused turnovers apiece from Erin Carson (New Albany, Ohio) and Christine Fiore (Darien, Conn.). Jo Torres (Price Frederick, Md.) registered eight saves in a complete-game effort.

 

The Mids had a slight 16-13 advantage in draw controls. Roelofs led the team with seven draws, while Eby won five draws in the game.

 

The game was physical with the two teams being whistled for 48 total fouls (26 by Navy and 22 by Georgetown). The Hoyas converted five of 11 free-position opportunities, while the Mids finished 3-of-9 on the night.

 

Georgetown’s Annabelle Albert and Emma Gebhardt led the way with three goals apiece for the Hoyas, while Emily Gaven finished with 12 saves in a winning effort at goal.

 

The Hoyas opened the scoring with a free-position goal, but Roelofs responded with back-to-back goals off of a pair of Beardmore helpers. With four ticks remaining in the quarter, Georgetown tied the score at 2-2.

 

In the second quarter, Roelofs completed the hat trick to go in front 3-2. The visitors responded with a goal, but Denton scored on a free-position opportunity to give Navy a 4-3 edge. Georgetown used a 5-0 run to take the lead, 8-4. The Mids ended the run with goals by Ryan and Haney to trim the margin to 8-6 at the half.

 

Georgetown outscored Navy, 4-1 in the third quarter to push the advantage to 12-7. The Mids’ lone goal in the quarter came from Eby.

 

The Hoyas added a goal to start the fourth quarter, taking a 13-7 lead. From there, it was all Navy. The Midshipmen closed out the game on a 5-0 run and had an opportunity to tie the game as time expired. Eby opened the run with a free-position goal. Haney followed with her second score of the game. Eby completed her hat trick with a goal and Roelofs trimmed the margin to two with her fourth score of the game. Denton scored with 27 seconds remaining to pull Navy to within one, 13-12. The Midshipmen won the ensuing draw, but were unable to get off a clean shot as the Hoyas’ defense stiffened as time expired.

 

Navy returns to Patriot League action this weekend as the Mids welcome Lehigh to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Opening draw between the Mids and Mountain Hawks is slated for 3:00 p.m., following the Navy men’s lacrosse’s game against Holy Cross. The game will be broadcast on EPSN+ and live stats will be available.