With no flyovers or fireworks to mark the occasion, the Navy women's lacrosse team created its own fanfare yesterday to welcome in the Division I era of its program.
Surrounded by reminders of historic naval battles whose names ring the decks of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Midshipmen carved out their own tiny piece of academy history as they defeated Longwood, 21-10, in their first Division I game.
More than 200 fans braved the cold and fog - more than had turned out for Mids games as a club program last season.
Sarah Bushong scored the first goal of the era as coach Cindy Timchal's Mids ran up a 4-0 lead and never trailed. They broke it open with an 8-1 run that spanned the first and second halves and boosted their lead to 18-8 on Kaylene Klingenstein's goal with 16:35 left.
"Everyone kept telling us that not only are we setting the tone for this season in particular, but we're setting the tone for Navy women's lacrosse as a D-I program," sophomore Mary Ruttum said. "There's a lot of pressure, I think, but I think that we handled it pretty well today."
All of the Mids had a little extra bounce in their steps yesterday, and it was more than just an adrenaline buildup after their original opener against Saint Francis (Pa.) was postponed Tuesday.
"It felt great to be out there," said Erin Rawlick, a sophomore from Forest Hill. "There were a lot more people here today, a lot more people cheering for you. You know that it's a lot bigger of a deal, and I think it's just a mental thing. I just have a lot of pride to be wearing this uniform."
The Midshipmen had a team breakfast yesterday morning and later celebrated with a family-and-friends tailgate. Inaugural season pins were give out to the first 200 fans, and those fans lined up for autographs after the game.
Several parents, and even grandparents, made long treks to share in day. Team captain Amanda Towey's father, Andy, drove from Smithtown, N.Y., where 9 inches of snow fell yesterday. Erica Sizemore's mother, Susan, came from Buffalo, and Rawlick's grandmother, Emily, took the train from Connecticut.
"I am a proud dad," Andy Towey said. "I coach, so it's a big accomplishment [to play in Division I]. I have four daughters ... and she's the oldest, so she's set a high bar for all of them."
Steve and Virginia Rawlick drove down from Harford County, where their daughter played at C. Milton Wright.
"It's very exciting," Virginia Rawlick said. "I can't believe the day is finally here, and we just kind of knew this was going to happen when she decided to come to the Naval Academy. I said, 'You know, Erin. They just might go Division I,' and they did."
Now the Mids are looking forward to tougher competition, which they will get when they move into their Patriot League schedule in three weeks.
"We talked about making a statement about Navy lacrosse and letting everybody to know we're here ready to compete. I felt they followed up with that today. We're excited about the victory and know there's a whole season ahead of us," said Timchal, who took over the program in fall 2006 after 16 years and eight national titles at Maryland.
In avenging last season's 18-16 loss to the Lancers, Rawlick led the Mids with five goals and two assists, Ruttum scored four goals and freshman Meg Decker had four goals and an assist.
The Mids struggled on defense at times in the first half but allowed just two goals in the second. They dominated the Lancers on draw controls 20-13 and ground balls 61-35.
Now, the Mids are ready to move on toward the Patriot League, in which they are projected to finish fifth.
"I'm really excited to see what the Patriot League's going to bring us," Ruttum said. "If we just focus on hustling all the time and being aggressive, then that'll bring good things for us this season."
katherine.dunn@baltsun.com
Longwood 8 2 - 10
Navy 13 8 - 21
Goals: L-Warehime 3, Brentlinger, Dean, Farmer, Haines, O'Brien, Owen, Sellmayer; N-Rawlick 5, Decker 4, Ruttum 4, Klingenstein 3, Nietsch 3, Bushong, Towey. Assists: L-Dean, O'Brien; N-Towey 4, Rawlick 2, Decker, Nietsch. Saves: L-Holliday 4, Liebig, Coughter 3; N-Blandon 9.