Junior attacker Emma Kennedy fired in five goals, while senior attacker Emily Messinese totaled three goals and three assists as Navy women’s lacrosse rallied in the fourth quarter to upset No. 10 Virginia, 14-12, on Wednesday in Charlottesville.
Messinese was the catalyst with two goals and two assists as the Midshipmen went on a 5-0 run beginning late in the third quarter. It was Navy’s second victory over Virginia in seven all-time meetings.
Messinese scored the winning goal off a free position shot with 4:40 remaining in the game, then assisted junior midfielder Ava Yovino on an insurance goal just under two minutes later.
Junior midfielder Maggie DeFabio scored two goals and assisted another, while senior attacker Tori DiCarlo, sophomore midfielder Mikayla Williams and freshman attacker Taylor Miles all contributed a goal and assist.
Messinese captured seven draw controls as the Mids and Cavs were even in that department. Navy overcame 18 turnovers, while Virginia got just five saves from goalies Mel Josephson and Abby Jansen.
Sophomore goalie Felicia Giglio stood tall between the pipes for Navy with 10 saves and four caused turnovers. She got great support from the defense anchored by Grace Peterson, Jaclyn Johns and Jalin Jenkins, which shut out the potent Cavaliers in the final frame.
It was an impressive bounce-back win for No. 19 Navy (4-1), which was upset by Harvard on Sunday in Annapolis.
“It took everything we had to come away with this win. I am just so proud of Navy women’s lacrosse,” coach Cindy Timchal said. “We had our hands full, but we just kept scrapping and finished the game strong.”
Attacker Jenna Dinardo scored four goals and assisted two others for Virginia (2-2), which led 4-1 at the end of the first quarter and 8-5 at halftime. Midfielder Kate Galica scored four goals for the Cavaliers, who were ahead 10-6 at the 9:26 mark of the third period.
“Virginia got off to a hot start. Each time we would try to respond, they would always come back at us,” Timchal said. “We talked at halftime; just try to keep it close and keep the pressure on Virginia. If we [could do that] then we had a chance and maybe good things would happen. We did keep it close then had a really great fourth quarter.”
It was Navy’s second victory over a ranked opponent this season. The Midshipmen have defeated two or more ranked teams in the same season seven times.
Navy returns to action on Sunday (noon) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium when it hosts High Point.
