A Hat Trick to Start the Season
Navy’s women’s soccer squad opened its season on Tuesday evening, hosting Marywood University at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. The kickoff was set for 5 p.m., and the game marked the first of three non‑conference fixtures the team has lined up over the next five days.
The matchup also served as a rematch of a 3‑0 victory the previous August, when the same margin was recorded in Annapolis. That win was part of a five‑game series that will continue with contests against Maryland on Thursday and Marist on Sunday, giving the squad a compact but demanding stretch.
Freshman forward Faith Graziano was the centerpiece of the action, notching a hat trick that included goals in the 21st, 25th and 38th minutes. Her third strike came after a precise cross from Emily Clay, capping a fluid attacking move. Clay’s two assists underscored her playmaking role, while defensive stalwarts Talley Applewhite and Cadence Tordai combined for a clean sheet.
Navy dominated possession, outshooting Marywood 27‑2. Early pressure paid off when Carly Walters forced a save in the sixth minute, setting the tone for a relentless offensive onslaught. Madison Whitworth opened the scoring before Graziano’s second goal, and the team’s defensive cohesion kept Marywood at bay throughout.
The victory also highlighted the contrasting recent records of the two programs. While Navy entered the game with a 9‑6‑4 ledger from the 2025 campaign, Marywood arrived fresh off a 16‑2 season in the Atlantic East and a first‑year stint in the MAC Freedom Conference. The Pacers’ schedule will next take them to Penn State Altoona on September 1 before they resume conference play.
With live online statistics available for viewers, the game offered fans a chance to follow the action in real time. The early win provides momentum as the team prepares for the upcoming clash with Maryland and the subsequent meeting with Marist, promising a competitive finish to the non‑conference slate.