Navy's women's lacrosse team has sailed through the first five games of its inaugural Division I season, but the competition cranks up this weekend when the Midshipmen open their Patriot League schedule.
The team has been winning by an average of 15 goals, but that scoring margin is unlikely to continue as two-time defending league champion Holy Cross comes to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis on Saturday.
"Obviously, our goal is to be as successful as possible in the Patriot League, but there are some good teams in there," said Navy coach Cindy Timchal.
"Holy Cross has been to the NCAAs the last couple years. American, last year we lost to American badly in a scrimmage. There's a new coaching staff at Colgate. We have to be ready to play at that Division I competitive level every time we step out on the field."
The Midshipmen are averaging 20.4 goals per game while allowing just 5.4. Senior midfielder Amanda Towey leads Division I in assists with 18.
Sophomore midfielder Erin Rawlick (C. Milton Wright) was Patriot League Player of the Week after scoring 18 points. Caitlin Mandrin Hill (St. Mary's), a freshman, earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after leading the team in ground balls (16) and caused turnovers (nine).
Things haven't been going that well for Holy Cross, which is coming off an 11-8 loss to Colgate on Saturday in its Patriot League opener. The Crusaders have yet to win a game, but that doesn't mean they will be an easy foe.
"Even though you'd think [any team] might underestimate us, in many respects they want to come here and do well against the Naval Academy. Nobody wants to lose to the first-year program," Timchal said.
Locals boost Carolina
Corey Donohoe, last year's All-Metro Player of the Year, has made a stellar debut at North Carolina, leading the No. 7 Tar Heels in goals scored.
An attacker from North Harford, Donohoe had four goals and two assists in Tuesday's 14-9 win at No. 18 Oregon. She has 21 goals and four assists in the team's first seven games.
Another Tar Heels scoring leader is also a former Player of the Year - two time recipient Megan Bosica, a sophomore from Mount Hebron. Bosica has 14 goals and seven assists for the 6-1 Tar Heels, who host Maryland on April 12.
Much of the rest of the lineup has a Baltimore flair, including one of the nation's best defenders in Amber Falcone (Winters Mill), second-leading goal scorer Chelsea Parks (Centennial), defender Jamie Hanssen (Notre Dame Prep) and goalie Amanda Barnes (C. Milton Wright).
ACC accolades
Maryland goalie Allie Buote picked up Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week honors for a week that included a 10-save effort in beating No. 2 Virginia in College Park. She held the Cavaliers to their lowest offensive output in eight years.
In the 8-5 win over Virginia and a 16-10 win over James Madison, the senior averaged 6.44 goals against with a 58.6 percent save rate.
The win boosted the Terrapins to No. 2 in this week's Inside Lacrosse poll, although they share the ranking with Virginia.
katherine.dunn@baltsun.com