Annapolis, MD -- Loyola University Maryland rallied from an early deficit and kept the pressure on, but Navy scored the decisive goal in the final 13 minutes to defeat the Greyhounds 2-1 Wednesday night at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.
Sophia Ryan scored twice for Navy, including the game-winning goal in the 79th minute, while Betzael Contreras provided Loyola's lone goal. The Greyhounds finished the night with two shots, both on target.
Navy (14-4-2, 7-1-1) struck first in the seventh minute when Ryan finished a pass from Chiara Cosenza to give the Mids a 1-0 lead.
Loyola (3-4-10, 3-3-3) answered less than 13 minutes later. Contreras found the back of the net in the 19th minute for her fourth goal of the season, bringing the Greyhounds level at 1.
The Greyhounds entered halftime tied despite Navy holding a 5-1 advantage in shots. Loyola goalkeeper Hannah Goetzer made two saves in the opening half to keep the game even.
Loyola nearly took the lead early in the second half when Taryn Buckley put a shot on target in the 47th minute, but Navy goalkeeper Natasha Stramrood made the save.
Navy continued to apply pressure, earning six second-half corner kicks. Ryan eventually broke through again in the 79th minute, converting a pass from Cosenza and Jessica Black to put the Mids ahead 2-1.
Loyola earned a corner kick moments after the goal but could not find the equalizer. Navy held on through the final whistle, handing the Greyhounds a narrow defeat.
Navy finished with a 9-2 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge in corner kicks, while Loyola held 41% possession.
Loyola will enter the Patriot League Tournament as the sixth-seed and will face third seeded Holy Cross on Sunday.
