ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Navy women’s soccer team is preparing for their final home game of the 2025 regular season this Friday at 5 p.m., facing off against Lafayette in a crucial Patriot League matchup. The Mids, currently in fifth place with a record of 9-5-3 (2-2-3 PL), are one point shy of securing a home quarterfinal playoff game. They aim to stifle Lafayette’s chances of entering the postseason as the Leopards sit at 3-7-6 (1-3-3 PL). Additionally, the match will feature a Senior Day ceremony, honoring the seven members of the Class of 2026: Mimi Abusham, Talley Applewhite, Marlee Heaven, Emma Romano, Isabella Romano, Mori Sokoloff, and team captain Jordan Townsend, starting at approximately 4:45 p.m.
The upcoming contest will mark the 34th encounter between Navy and Lafayette, with the Mids holding a significant historical advantage at 26-4-3. The rivalry began in 1993 when Navy played its inaugural varsity season, with Lafayette winning the first matchup decisively by 7-1. Since then, Navy has dominated the series, recording 17 consecutive wins before Lafayette managed to clinch two 1-0 victories in recent years. The Mids have outscored the Leopards 73-22 overall and hold a strong home record of 13-1-2 against Lafayette.
Recent Match History
In their last five meetings dating back to 2019, Navy has held a record of 3-0-2, outscoring the Leopards 6-2. Here’s a summary of the last five encounters:
- Oct. 30, 2024 (A): Navy 0 – Lafayette 0
- Oct. 25, 2023 (H): Navy 1 – Lafayette 0
- Oct. 26, 2022 (A): Navy 1 – Lafayette 0
- Oct. 27, 2021 (H): Navy 3 – Lafayette 1
- Oct. 2, 2019 (H): Navy 1 – Lafayette 1
Last Encounter Recap
In their most recent showdown on October 30, 2024, the teams battled to a 0-0 stalemate in Easton, resulting in crucial implications for the league standings. Both teams fought hard, with Navy’s Natasha Stramrood making five saves and the defense displaying resilience. Navy dominated possession but could not capitalize on scoring opportunities, with a notable moment coming in the 66th minute when Hannah Mulholland’s shot struck the crossbar.
Team Performance Comparison
With the regular season nearing its end, here’s how Navy and Lafayette stack up against each other:
| Statistic | Navy | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Record / League | 9-5-3 / 2-2-3 PL | 3-7-6 / 1-3-3 PL |
| Home/Away/Neutral | 6-1-1 / 3-4-1 / 0-0-1 | 3-3-3 / 0-4-3 |
| Goals/Game | 1.94 | 0.88 |
| Assists/Game | 1.71 | 0.75 |
| Shots/Game | 14.6 | 9.6 |
| Goals Against Average | 0.88 | 1.75 |
Individual Leaders
Key players for Navy and Lafayette include:
- Navy Goals Leader: Marlee Heaven, 9 goals
- Lafayette Goals Leader: Alana Zaffanella, 5 goals
- Navy Assists Leader: Grace Cosenza, 5 assists
- Lafayette Assists Leaders: Three players with 2 assists each
- Navy Points Leader: Marlee Heaven, 21 points
- Lafayette Points Leader: Alana Zaffanella, 11 points
Previous Game Overview
In their last match against Bucknell on October 19, 2025, Navy managed a 1-1 draw after leading for most of the game. They secured their lone goal early in the first half, but Bucknell equalized late in the match, denying Navy a vital win as they vie for playoff positioning.
Fans can follow Friday’s game through live stats and an ESPN+ broadcast, requiring a subscription for viewing access.
