Saturday, March 18
Lewisburg, Pa.
12 p.m.
Bucknell University
4-1, 0-1PL
13
vs
21
Navy
7-2, 1-0PL
1
2
3
4
F
Navy
2
8
4
7
21
Bucknell
2
3
3
5
13
Women’s Lacrosse Drops Patriot League Opener to Navy, 21-13
3/18/2023 3:05:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Navy used five goals apiece from Leelee Denton and Emily Messinese and a wide disparity in draw controls to outlast Bucknell 21-13 in the Patriot League women's lacrosse action on Saturday at Graham Field at Holmes Stadium. Alex Nesbitt and Allie Boyce recorded hat tricks for the Bison, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.
Now 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in Patriot League play, the Bison scored 13 goals – their most-ever against Navy – on just 24 shots. Taylor Kopan added two goals, and Emily Baird and Taylor McClain both had a goal and two assists, but while the offense was scoring efficiently, the Midshipmen piled up a big advantage in time of possession thanks to a 27-11 edge on the draw circle.
Navy, which is receiving votes in the IWLCA national poll, won its fifth straight game and improved to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in the Patriot League.
The two teams alternated mini two-goal runs throughout the first quarter and a half. The Mids jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Baird and Carly Cenci answered for the Bison to make it 2-2 after one period. Messinese and Ava Yovino scored in the opening two minutes of the second, but Boyce and Nesbitt answered for the Bison to even things at 4-4.
Navy's game-changing run started at the 8:50 mark when Denton scored on a free-position shot. It was the first of four straight goals for the Mids, who ended up tallying eight in the second quarter for a 10-5 halftime lead. Navy won 11 of the 12 draw controls in the period.
Down 14-8 after three, Bucknell got back in the game on consecutive goals from Aliza Thir and McClain early in the fourth period. But Tori DiCarlo answered for Navy 1:15 later, and two more goals from Messinese and Kat McAteer put the Mids back in control at 17-10 with 6:53 remaining.
Ella Payer and the Bison defense did a solid job on Navy star Ava Yovino, who came into the game with 19 goals and a national-best 35 assists. Yovino finished with two goals and one assist in this one. DiCarlo added two goals and three assists, and Alyssa Daley collected 14 draw controls.
Both teams found success on the 8-meter arc, as Navy went 6-for-7 and Bucknell 6-for-10 on free-position shots.
Symone Ryans made five saves in goal for Bucknell, while Julia Dembowitz made three in relief. Emma Richardell (5) and Anne Culicerto (1) combined for six saves for Navy.
Bucknell's previous high-water mark for goals in a game against Navy was 11, set in the inaugural meeting in 2008 and again in 2012.
The Bison are back in action again on Wednesday at home against Villanova. That will be the final non-conference game of the regular season.
Now 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in Patriot League play, the Bison scored 13 goals – their most-ever against Navy – on just 24 shots. Taylor Kopan added two goals, and Emily Baird and Taylor McClain both had a goal and two assists, but while the offense was scoring efficiently, the Midshipmen piled up a big advantage in time of possession thanks to a 27-11 edge on the draw circle.
Navy, which is receiving votes in the IWLCA national poll, won its fifth straight game and improved to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in the Patriot League.
The two teams alternated mini two-goal runs throughout the first quarter and a half. The Mids jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Baird and Carly Cenci answered for the Bison to make it 2-2 after one period. Messinese and Ava Yovino scored in the opening two minutes of the second, but Boyce and Nesbitt answered for the Bison to even things at 4-4.
Navy's game-changing run started at the 8:50 mark when Denton scored on a free-position shot. It was the first of four straight goals for the Mids, who ended up tallying eight in the second quarter for a 10-5 halftime lead. Navy won 11 of the 12 draw controls in the period.
Down 14-8 after three, Bucknell got back in the game on consecutive goals from Aliza Thir and McClain early in the fourth period. But Tori DiCarlo answered for Navy 1:15 later, and two more goals from Messinese and Kat McAteer put the Mids back in control at 17-10 with 6:53 remaining.
The Bison pull within four on a nice goal here from Taylor McClain. Still lots of time left! #rayBucknell
— Bucknell Women's Lax (@Bucknell_WLAX) March 18, 2023
Watch: https://t.co/CX4HaLbXRy@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/nyKRQhcmhW
Ella Payer and the Bison defense did a solid job on Navy star Ava Yovino, who came into the game with 19 goals and a national-best 35 assists. Yovino finished with two goals and one assist in this one. DiCarlo added two goals and three assists, and Alyssa Daley collected 14 draw controls.
Both teams found success on the 8-meter arc, as Navy went 6-for-7 and Bucknell 6-for-10 on free-position shots.
Symone Ryans made five saves in goal for Bucknell, while Julia Dembowitz made three in relief. Emma Richardell (5) and Anne Culicerto (1) combined for six saves for Navy.
Bucknell's previous high-water mark for goals in a game against Navy was 11, set in the inaugural meeting in 2008 and again in 2012.
The Bison are back in action again on Wednesday at home against Villanova. That will be the final non-conference game of the regular season.
Team Stats
NAVY
BUCKNELL
Shots
38
24
Turnovers
16
15
Caused Turnovers
9
10
Draw Controls
27
11
Free-Position Shots
7
10
Ground Balls
15
16
Game Leaders
Players
G
3
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
3
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
1
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
1
G
1
A
2
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
3
CT
2
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
G
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
G
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
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