Oct. 9, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The streaking Navy women's soccer team (9-3-1, 1-0 PL) continues its record-long 10-game homestand this weekend as they welcome a pair of Patriot League foes to the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility, beginning Friday against Lafayette at 7 p.m. The Mids, winners of four in a row (7-1-1 in their last nine), continue their seven-game league slate on Sunday against Lehigh at 1 p.m.

Navy opened its Patriot League schedule in emphatic fashion last Saturday with a 1-0 overtime win over visiting Bucknell. Senior Kristen Laraway (Long Valley, N.J.) scored the game-winning goal in the 95th minute to break a scoreless deadlock and touch off a jubilant on-field celebration. The win was the Mids' first over the Bison during the regular season since 2005 and was made extra special as it also marked the 200th career victory for Navy head coach Carin Gabarra.

Two days later, Navy remained at home to post a 5-0 shutout victory on Monday over first-time opponent Delaware State. Sophomore Carissa Youker (Potomac, Md.) netted a career-best two goals in that contest, including her team-leading fourth game-winner this fall. Laraway and Youker pace the league's top scoring offense (2.0 goals/gm) with career-highs of 13 and 12 points, respectively. Each player has booted in five goals apiece, while together they have combined to account for six of the team's nine game-winners.

Senior CiAnna Weikle (Lakeville, Minn.) has also been a major factor offensively for the Mids with a career-best 10 points (3 g, 4 a) in 11 games. Weikle is one of six Mids (Anastasia Abid, Christine Calderon, Jen Grijalva, Laraway, and Youker) who have already surpassed their previous-best scoring output this season. Calderon has been Navy's top provider, dealing out a career-best six assists - the second-highest total in the Patriot League this season.

Navy also owns the league's stingiest defensive unit, having surrendered 11 goals in 13 games (0.85 goals/gm). The Mids have posted shutouts in back-to-back contests (a span in which they have limited the opposition to just two shots on goal) and have allowed only goal over the last four games.

Earlier this week, defenders Shelly Moeller (Milford, Ohio) and Katelyn George (Loveland, Ohio) were recognized for their efforts against Bucknell with the league's defensive player and rookie of the week honors, respectively. It marked the second time that Moeller has been honored by the league this season and the sixth time in her career, while it was George's first weekly honor, as well as the first by a Navy freshman since current junior Brittany White collected the accolade on Oct. 9, 2006.

A total of five players (Lizzie Barnes, Laraway and Carey Young), including three defenders, have accounted for the seven Patriot League weekly awards the Mids have picked up this fall.

Lafayette (2-8-2, 0-1 PL) has lost two straight and is coming off a 2-0 home loss against Army on Saturday in the league opener for both squads. Sophomore Mackenzie Moore paces the Leopards, who have struggled on the offensive end to the tune of a league-low average of 0.58 goals per game, with seven points on two goals and three assists.

Friday's contest will mark the 17th meeting between the Midshipmen and Leopards. Navy holds a decisive advantage in the all-time series, having lost just once to Lafayette in 16 games. The Leopards earned their lone victory, a 7-1 decision, at home in 1993, Navy's first season as a varsity sport. During the Mids' 15-game winning streak, Navy has outscored Lafayette, 45-7 (20-1 over last seven games), including a 3-0 shutout in Easton last fall.

Much like Lafayette, Lehigh (4-5-1, 0-1 PL) suffered a setback on its home field in its Patriot League opener, falling 3-0 to Holy Cross. Through 10 games, the Mountain Hawks' offense has produced seven different goalscorers, but only seven total goals. Despite the lack of a scoring punch, Lehigh has produced four victories - all of which have come by 1-0 margins. Second-year midfielder Glynn Fitzer paces the team with three points (1 g, 1 a), while sophomore keeper Lauren Mains has played every minute on Lehigh's backline this season, posting four shutouts and turning away 52 of the 65 (.800) shots on goal she has faced.

The Mids have also found success in games played against Lehigh, as Navy holds a 10-3-3 series advantage. After last year's scoreless draw in Bethlehem, Navy is now 10-1-2 in its last 13 meetings against the Mountain Hawks. The Mids have held Lehigh without a goal in each of the last three games.

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Inside the Matchup

Navy - Lafayette Series
All-Time Series - Navy, 15-1-0
In Annapolis - Navy, 7-0-0
In Easton, Pa. - Navy, 8-1-0
PL Regular Season - Navy, 14-1-0
Current Streak - Navy, 15 games

Navy - Lehigh Series
All-Time Series - Navy, 10-3-3
In Annapolis - Navy, 6-1-1
In Bethlehem, Pa. - Navy, 3-2-1
Neutral Sites - Navy. 1-0-0
PL Regular Season - Navy, 9-3-3
Current Streak - Navy, 2-0-1

The Numbers Game

60

Consecutive starts made by junior Shelly Moeller

17

Navy players have registered a point this season

11

Different Navy players have scored a goal this season

5

Navy wins in the first six games of its record-long 10-game homestand

4

Number of game-winning goals this season from sophomore Carissa Youker

3

Number of teams (Navy, North Carolina and Yale) that have scored a goal against No. 6 Stanford (10-0-1)

2

Total number of shots on goal allowed by Navy over its last two games

1

League rank for both Navy's scoring offense (2.0 goals/gm) and scoring defense (0.85 goals/gm)

Mids to Host Free Youth Soccer Clinic Sunday
The Navy women will host a free youth soccer clinic this Sunday following its 1 p.m. contest against Lehigh. Select team members will lead activities on the field immediately after their afternoon tilt with the Mountain Hawks.

Children will have the opportunity to learn the game from the Mids and receive instruction on ball control, shooting, defense and goalkeeping. The clinic is free with the price of admission. To pre-register or for more information, please contact the Navy Marketing Office at 410-293-8711 or email jwoods@usna.edu.

Tickets for both games can be purchased online, at the gate or by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY. Prices are $5 for Adult and $3 for Students (17 years & under).

Up Next
The longest home stand in program history comes to a close next weekend as the Mids host league-foe American on Friday, October 17 at 7 p.m., before wrapping up their home and non-conference slates against UMBC in a Senior Day affair on Sunday at 1 p.m.