“That is a quality soccer team (Colgate) and it is always a very competitive, hard-played, end-to-end, action pack contest when we clash together,” said head coach Carin Gabarra about the crucial win against a top opponent. “A lot of heart and physical play was displayed out there today because I feel that we have become rivals over the years. I was very pleased with our defensive play because we were able to contain three very talented forwards tonight.”

 

Navy’s primary backline of Emily Wilkin, Julie Schumacher, Jade Seabrook, Kahra Kelty and also Britta Vivaldi did not allow one shot on net against the No. 2 scoring team in the Patriot League. With the help of her backline, Elizabeth Hoerner recorded her fifth shutout of the season.

 

“We have emphasized defense for many, many years and make it important that all 11 players defend well,” said Gabarra on the fifth-straight shutout. “Our back four have been sensational for a while now, including this stretch. They work well together, they play off each other and have been phenomenal overall in defending good teams.”

 

Navy (10-2-0, 3-0-0 Patriot League) came out attacking early in the first half with two shots on net in the first five minutes. Morgan Dankanich and Ashlynn Soellner each had a good look on net, but Colgate’s Brenna Mason tallied both saves.

 

After a Colgate foul in the 16th minute, Rachel Hunter attempted the free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. Hunter sent a curling kick over Colgate’s defensive line but was just a little high as the shot hit the crossbar.

 

In the 29th minute, Colgate (6-4-0, 2-1-0 Patriot League) had its first offensive opportunity with the game’s first corner kick. Caroline Brawner volleyed the kick into the box, but was knocked away. Teammate Chelsea Roche picked up the loose ball and redirected her shot high of the net.

 

Then in the 33rd minute, the Mids used a counterattack to score the game’s first goal. Off of a Raider throw in, Hunter headed the ball, from Navy’s defensive third, to a streaking Courtney Hook. Hook took possession of the pass in stride and had a two-on-one opportunity with Macklin. As Hook charged at the box, she led Macklin to allow her just two steps before sending her shot past  Mason for her fourth goal of the season.

 

“It was a great feeling to grab the lead against a tough opponent in Colgate,” said Macklin on go-ahead goal. “Even though we were up 1-0 early, we still felt that we needed to keep that kind of intensity for the remainder of the game in order to grab the win.”

 

Macklin took her own advice to heart, as she was on the attacking end a minute later. Off a cross from Schumacher, Macklin was wide-open in front of the net as she received the pass. Macklin sent a bending shot to the near post, but was denied by Mason.

 

With the lead 1-0 going into the second half, Navy kept up the same intensity for the next 45 minutes. Dankanich had an open look in the 64th minute, but Mason batted away the shot to keep Colgate within striking distance.

 

Then Kaylie Davidson went on the attack with two shots in the 82nd minute and one in the 83rd minute. Two of Davidson’s shots went wide and one was sent straight at Mason for her seventh save of the game.

 

Navy held on for the final seven minutes to extend its unbeaten streak in regular-season League play to three matches this season and ten straight overall.