Nov. 15, 2003
Playing in the program's first NCAA Tournament game, the 2003 Patriot League champion Navy women's soccer team lost a 5-1 decision to Penn State, Friday evening in State College, Pa.
"Obviously we were very excited to make the NCAA Tournament," said Navy head coach Carin Gabarra. "But we didn't just come here; we came to compete. We played against a very good Penn State team and I am proud of how our team played tonight."
Penn State, seeded fifth in the tournament and ranked sixth in the country, quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 1:18 into the contest on a goal from Tiffany Weimer and soon held a 2-0 advantage 10 minutes later.
Navy had several scoring chances of its own in the first half, but were unable to convert. Senior forward Amelia Sheveland (Farmer's Branch, Texas) had a shot in the 22nd minute of the game that was just tipped out by Penn State goalkeeper Amanda Brown. Later, Sheveland had another opportunity for a goal when her shot from 20-feet out just cleared the crossbar.
"Coming in we were very fired up and didn't feel any pressure on us at all," said Gabarra. "Those early goals did take the wind out of us a bit, though."
In the second half, Penn State upped its lead to 3-0 on a goal in the 64th minute from Amanda Lentz. Later, Navy sophomore midfielder Heather Thomas (Pismo Beach, Calif.) placed a shot on goal that forced Brown to make a diving save to prevent a goal. The Mids eventually scored their only goal of the game in the 72nd minute of play. Senior forward Stacy Finley (Alamo, Calif.) placed a shot on goal which Brown was unable to fully control. The rebound bounced to freshman midfielder Molly Burd (Englewood, Colo.) who knocked it into the net.
Less than two minutes later, however, Penn State regained its three-goal advantage and would add its fifth goal of the night in the 80th minute of play.
Penn State outshot Navy 11-1 in the first half and 21-6 in the game. Navy junior goalkeeper Kim Bonafede (Burke, Va.) was credited with seven saves.
Navy ends its season with a 17-5-1 record, while the Nittany Lions improved to 17-2-3. Penn State will play Rutgers Sunday afternoon.
