BALTIMORE — Loyola University Maryland erupted for 15 first-half goals and never looked back, powering past the Naval Academy 19-14 on Saturday morning at Ridley Athletic Complex.
The Greyhounds' 19 goals is tied for the third most goals allowed by Navy in a game. With the win, this is the Greyhounds highest ranked win since beating then-#4 Florida on February 22, 2020.
With 17 draw controls in the win, Murphy broke the Patriot League Freshman Single-Season Draw Control record.
Ava Kane, Morgan Quade and Emma Talago each scored four goals to lead Loyola. The Greyhounds (8-4, 4-1) built an 8-2 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 15-7 by halftime, putting the game out of reach.
Loyola controlled the tempo from the opening draw, winning 22 draw controls and outshooting Navy 32-24, repeatedly turning possessions into scoring runs.
Quade added two assists for a six-point day, while Talago also dished out two assists. Lauren Perfetto orchestrated the offense with four assists, and Mim Suares-Jury contributed two goals and two assists.
The Greyhounds scored the game's first five goals and never trailed. Kane opened the scoring on a man-up opportunity, and Loyola continued to capitalize on their possessions, as they won 22 of 35 draw controls in the game. Loyola held Navy to their lowest shot total of the season (24), as the Midshipmen had only 13 shots entering the fourth quarter
Navy (11-1, 3-1) showed fight in the fourth quarter, as they scored seven straight goals to cut their deficit to four goals, but Loyola answered late when Kane capped her four-goal performance with the final tally.
Alyssa Chung led Navy with six goals, while Taylor Miles added three, but the Midshipmen could not overcome Loyola's dominant first half.
Morgan Ruhnke added three goals for Loyola, while Elisa Faklaris chipped in two goals and an assist. Goalkeeper Makenzie Butler made four saves to secure the win.
Loyola continues Patriot League action on Wednesday, as they travel to face Lafayette, before hosting Boston College on Saturday afternoon in game two of the doubleheader with the men's team.
