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ANNAPOLIS, Md. — For 89 minutes Thursday night, Wofford women’s soccer stood tall on the road, matching Navy stride for stride at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. But with less than a minute to play, the Midshipmen finally broke through.
Navy’s Lucy Gaines slipped a ball into space and Marlee Heaven buried the chance, handing Wofford a heartbreaking 1-0 loss. The Terriers dropped to 0-3 on the season, with each defeat coming by a single goal. (navysports.com)
First half: under pressure but organized
Navy held most of the action early, peppering Wofford’s defense with 10 first-half shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Elizabeth Navola responded, making a diving stop in the 14th minute and punching away a rebound to keep the Terriers in it.
Their lone quality chance came late in the half, when Kate Markey unleashed a shot from distance that was cleanly handled by Navy keeper Natasha Stramrood. Still, Wofford’s organization and discipline held firm through the intermission.
Second half: chances both ways
Wofford found its rhythm after the break. Ellie Gower tested Stramrood with a low strike in the 52nd minute, and Julia Grier nearly gave Wofford the lead in the 70th with a curling shot that forced a diving save.
Navy countered with pressure of its own — forcing multiple corners and keeping Wofford’s back line busy. Delaney Minor and Satya Tarafdar stood tall with timely clearances. Just as overtime looked likely, Gaines broke free on the wing and set up Heaven for the decisive strike with only 67 seconds remaining.
Navola’s strong performance
Navola finished with an impressive seven saves on 19 shots, providing the Terriers with a steady presence in goal. Her composure under siege kept Wofford within striking distance deep into the second half.
Bright spots amid narrow losses
This season’s 0-3 start doesn’t tell the full story. All three games have been one-goal losses — first to USC Upstate, then UNC Asheville, and now Navy. The Terriers have conceded only three goals overall, underscoring their competitiveness.
Players like Markey, Gower, and Grier each found shots on target, and midfielders Bailey Mullen and Emma Valdes helped create build-up play and relieve pressure — positive signs for future matches.
What’s next
Wofford returns home Sunday for its home opener at Snyder Field against Gardner-Webb at 2 p.m. in Spartanburg. It’ll be their first chance this season to play in front of a supportive crowd — and a ripe opportunity to flip narrow margins into a breakthrough win.
Key Stats
- Shots: Navy 19, Wofford 4
- Shots on Goal: Navy 8, Wofford 3
- Saves: Wofford (Navola) 7, Navy (Stramrood) 4
- Corners: Navy 7, Wofford 2
- Fouls: Wofford 12, Navy 6
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