The records don?t officially count this year, but the work the Navy women?s lacrosse team puts in this season will help lay the foundation of the program for years to come.
Navy announced last summer that it was establishing a varsity women?s lacrosse team, with plans to begin play in 2008. Next year, the Midshipmen will compete in the Patriot League and be eligible for postseason play. In the meantime, the team will compete this season on the club level, where it has had a lot of success through the years.
The program secured its first win off the field when Navy lured longtime Maryland coach Cindy Timchal away from College Park to get things started in Annapolis. Timchal is the all-time leader in Division I career victories with a 309-74 record in 25 seasons. She led Maryland to eight national titles in her 16-year tenure, including seven straight from 1995 to 2001.
Timchal said she is excited about having the opportunity to build a program from the ground up, something she did at Northwestern in 1982. There, she was 76-40 and went to five NCAA tournaments in nine seasons.
“I think this is a pretty exciting and challenging situation,” Timchal said. “I feel we will be able to make a smooth transition from the club level to Division I, especially after we get the first two classes in here.”
In the meantime, Navy will play at least a 24-game schedule. Those home games, and those in the future will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Timchal said despite the different requirements for getting into the Naval Academy, she doesn?t feel there is too many differences in her recruiting strategy compared to what she did at Maryland. She added that Navy sells itself in many ways, including the facilities, the educational opportunities and the chance to compete at a high level.
“This is a great area for lacrosse, and there are a number of players who would like the opportunity to play at the Naval Academy,” Timchal said. “Plus, with our national reputation, we will be able to attract players in areas where the sport is really growing, like California, Texas and Colorado.”
Notes
» Navy lost a pair of exhibition games during a double-header Sunday in Annapolis. The Mids lost to La Salle, 11-8, before falling to American, 10-2.
» Among the players currently on Navy?s roster is freshman Mary Ruttam, who went to St. Mary?s in Annapolis.
