Loyola’s hot streak was snapped.
After beating Penn State, Towson, Princeton and Virginia in consecutive games, followed by four Patriot League wins, the Greyhounds sprinted into the Top 10 of the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women’s Top 20, sitting the highest at No. 5 on March 26.
Entering this week just one spot lower, Loyola had its next chance to prove itself as a national contender against another Top 20 team in Syracuse.
But the ACC power came out on top in overtime in Baltimore, handing the Greyhounds their first loss since back-to-back losses to start the season in February.
NO. 6 LOYOLA AT NO. 12 NAVY
WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 1 p.m.
WATCH: WatchStadium.com
Loyola now turns back to its conference slate, entering a four-game stretch that kicks off with Navy – the team that took the 2017 Patriot League crown from the three-time reigning champion and knocked the Greyhounds out of contention for the NCAA tournament for the first time in seven years.
While both teams are 4-0 in conference play, the No. 12 Midshipmen are currently riding a four-game winning streak, all against Patriot League foes. They have yet to snag a significant win this season – falling to the only two Top 20 teams they’ve face thus far (Boston College and Florida) – making the Loyola tilt its next chance to make a stronger case for the postseason before facing No. 11 Virginia next week.
Saturday’s matchup is likely a preview of the Patriot League championship game as Loyola and Navy have battled for the title each of the last three years. The Midshipmen dominated the Greyhounds 15-5 last season before their historical NCAA tournament run.
Like it is every year, this Loyola-Navy game will be another showdown as the only unbeatens left in the Patriot League. The Greyhounds have the edge offensively with the No. 5 scoring offense in Division I, while also sitting first in shot percentage, third in points per game and fourth in assists per game. The Midshipmen rank second in draw controls per game and fourth in shots per game.