Michigan
2-3
Navy
3-0
Wolverines Clipped by No. 10 Navy in Final Minutes
2/25/2018 5:24:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
» Michigan led or was tied with Navy for the first 55 minutes of the game until the Midshipmen took the lead with 4:16 to go. U-M tied it at 10 with 2:57 remaining, but Navy tallied the game-winner with 1:52 to play.
» Maggie Kane and Adriana Pendino recorded hat tricks to lead Michigan's offense.
» Michigan's defense allowed just two goals in the first half, including Navy's first goal at 11:01. The Wolverines forced 22 Midshipmen turnovers, including eight caused turnovers and two shot-clock violations.
» Alli Kothari had 10 saves in goal, while Sydney Whitaker paced U-M's defense with two caused turnovers and six ground balls, which rank second all-time in program history.
Site: Annapolis, Md. (Rip Miller Turf)
Score: #10 Navy 11, Michigan 10
Records: U-M (2-3), NA (3-0)
Attendance: 850
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, Feb. 28 -- at Towson (Towson, Md.), 4 p.m.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The University of Michigan women's lacrosse team led until the final seven minutes, then saw No. 10 Navy tie the game with three minutes remaining and eventually tally the game-winning goal with 1:52 on the clock to steal an 11-10 win on Sunday (Feb. 25) at Rip Miller Turf.
U-M forced 22 Navy turnovers, which included eight caused turnovers and two shot-clock violations. Sophomore Sydney Whitaker led the Michigan defense with two caused turnovers and six ground balls, which rank second in program history for ground balls in a single game. Junior Alli Kothari played all 60 minutes in cage, making 10 saves for U-M.
On the offensive end, freshman Maggie Kane and junior Adriana Pendino netted hat tricks, which mark a new career best for Kane and was Pendino's fourth game this season with three or more goals.
Freshman Caitlin Muir put Michigan on the board first at 25:06 and then it became a defensive battle. The Wolverines held the Midshipmen scoreless for almost 19 minutes, when Navy scored its first of the day with 11:01 remaining on a free-position attempt.
Pendino and Navy's Kelly Larkin traded goals before Kane scored to beat the shot clock and graduate student Bianca Brueckner recorded a FPG with 1:10 on the clock to give the Maize and Blue a 4-2 advantage at the half.
Kothari helped keep Michigan in the lead early in the second half, when she made two point-blank saves before Navy pulled within one, 4-3, at the 27:29 mark.
The Wolverines then went on a 3-0 run to take their largest lead of the afternoon, as Pendino's second goal was followed by back-to-back free-position goals from sophomore Lilly Grass and Kane.
The Midshipmen responded with a pair of goals, but Kane slowed Navy's momentum with her third goal at 14:18, before Navy added three straight goals to tie the game for the first time since early in the first half, 8-8, with 8:05 left.
Whitaker won the ensuing draw to set up Pendino's third goal of the day, as she converted a free-position shot to put U-M back in the lead, 9-8, with 7:18 to go. Navy came right back with two consecutive goals, taking a 10-9 advantage at the 4:16 mark.
The Wolverines kept fighting and tied the game once again with 2:57 remaining, as Muir fed fellow freshman Erin Daly from behind the cage for the quick score. The Midshipmen won the next draw and earned a free-position, which Jenna Collins scored with just 1:52 on the clock, putting Navy ahead, 11-10.
Navy won the final draw, but Whitaker picked up the ground ball on a Midshipmen turnover and Michigan cleared the ball successfully before calling timeout at 1:08. U-M's final shot attempt with 52 seconds left went high and Navy took possession and ran out the clock.
The Wolverines will remain in Maryland for their next matchup, as they will take on No. 11 Towson on Wednesday (Feb. 28) at 4 p.m. at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
Tweet of the Game
Thoughts from Coach Nielsen after a really gritty performance. #goblue pic.twitter.com/B8Bn0yJgNU
— Michigan Women's Lacrosse (@UMichWLAX) February 25, 2018
