Defense Carries Navy To Season-Opening Win
Navy 10, VMI 2
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Sunday, February 10, 2008
Nearly 11 minutes had elapsed by the time Virginia Military took its first shot in its lacrosse game against Navy yesterday in Annapolis. By then, the Keydets had five turnovers -- and 30 seconds later committed another.
The Midshipmen relied on their defense throughout a 10-2 victory before 2,133 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in the season opener for both teams. It marked one of three Division I games yesterday in what is believed to be the earliest start to a lacrosse season in NCAA history.
The record had been set when two games were played on Feb. 10 last year.
By way of comparison, the first Division I game in 1999 was played on Feb. 25.
"Our decision to play on Feb. 9 is because we would be scrimmaging anyway," Navy Coach Richie Meade said. "The question is, do you play on February 9 in what turned out to be a beautiful day or a Wednesday in April during exams and having to travel?"
Navy's defense looked solid throughout. It gave up four shots in the first half and, for the game, forced 21 turnovers. Senior captain Jordan DiNola held VMI senior Kevin Hill, the team's leading scorer the past two seasons, to one goal and four turnovers.
The Keydets threatened briefly after a goal by Hill, on a one-handed wrap-around shot, cut their deficit to 3-1 early in the second quarter.
Navy answered with seven consecutive goals and took a 10-1 lead following a goal by junior Sean Standen with 7 minutes 43 seconds to play. Standen and sophomore Tim Paul each finished with two goals. Meantime, senior Mikelis Visgauss won 5 of 5 faceoffs and sophomore Frankie Coppola won 5 of 7.
The Midshipmen could have done more, but sophomore goalie Sean McCoy had 11 saves.
"I truly believe [McCoy] is going to be our backbone for the next couple years," Keydets Coach Jeff Shirk said.
In the end, Navy used 40 players and won its seventh consecutive season opener.
"It seems like we start earlier and earlier every year," DiNola said. "Everything in lacrosse seems to start earlier. But we're ready."
