Nick Mirabito registered a hat trick and six different players scored goals as the Navy lacrosse team kicked off its 2007 campaign with a 10-3 victory over Saint Joseph?s Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
“We played well but we weren?t finishing (in the first half),” said Navy coach Richie Meade, whose team held a 47-18 shot advantage. “I thought we did a much better job in the second half.”
Saint Joseph?s, coming off of a 23-6 defeat against Delaware in their first game, kept the score close early. The Hawks took an early 2-1 lead and were only trailing, 4-3, at halftime.
But, Navy came out of halftime strong. Ian Dingman added his second goal of the game three minutes into the third period and Nick Mirabito scored the first of his three second half goals at the 10:29 mark.
“[Coach] just told us to keep plugging away,” Mirabito said. “In the second half we definitely turned it up a little bit.”
Navy is ranked No. 9 in the Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook Preseason Poll and is returning seven starters from last year?s 11-4 team that made its fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The Midshipmen return three of their top four scorers and placed five players on the preseason All-American Team. They are also the preseason favorite to wintheir fourth consecutive Patriot League title.
Dingman, with his two goals, became the eighth Navy player to reach 150 career points. Junior Matt Guido recorded his first collegiate multi-goal performance with two goals. The Midshipmen held a 41-30 advantage in ground balls and won 11-of-15 face-offs.
Navy received significant contributions from their underclassmen, which may become a theme this season. Freshmen Tim Paul and Basil Daratsos both scored.
“We have a lot of young guys, it?s going to take some time for it to happen,” Meade said. “I think everything is going to be hard for us this year, but that?s part of coaching a young team.”
Navy opens Patriot League play next Saturday against Lafayette in Easton, Pa. Action is set for 1:00 p.m. at Rappolt Field.
All-American Mids
The following players were named 2007 Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook Preseason All-Americans:
» Second team: Billy Looney, midfield, senior.
» Third team: Jordan DiNola, defense, junior; William Wallace, face-off, senior.
» Honorable mention: Ian Dingman, attack, senior; Andrew Dow, defense, senior.
