Navy Women’s Soccer Closes Non-Conference Schedule With 1-0 Shutout of Youngstown State

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Navy Midshipmen women’s soccer team finished its non-conference schedule on a winning note Sunday, grinding out a 1-0 road victory over Youngstown State at Farmers National Bank Field.

Sophomore midfielder Helen Bonner provided the difference for Navy, scoring early in the second half, while junior goalkeeper Natasha Stramrood and the Midshipmen defense protected the one-goal advantage the rest of the way. The victory improved Navy to 7-3-1 through 11 matches and gave the Midshipmen their sixth clean sheet of the 2026 season.

The win was particularly important for Navy after its five-match winning streak ended with a 1-0 loss at Towson on Thursday. Rather than allowing that defeat to carry into another road contest, the Midshipmen responded with the kind of defensive performance they will need as Patriot League competition begins.

Slow Start Gives Way to Navy Pressure

Neither team established much attacking rhythm during the opening portion of Sunday’s match. Much of the action stayed in the middle of the field, with Navy and Youngstown State struggling to consistently create opportunities inside the opposing penalty area.

Bonner produced Navy’s first shot on goal in the 11th minute, but Youngstown State goalkeeper Cami Givens handled the attempt. The Midshipmen gradually became more dangerous as the first half progressed, particularly during the final 15 minutes.

Jessica Black came close to breaking the scoreless tie after receiving a pass from Lizzie Emerson inside the box. Black quickly directed a one-timer toward the goal, forcing Givens to make a diving save. Navy ultimately entered halftime tied 0-0 despite holding an 8-6 advantage in total shots.

Bonner Breaks Through

Navy came out of halftime with significantly more attacking urgency. The Midshipmen registered three shots during the opening five minutes of the second half, including an attempt on goal from Kayana Adlam.

The breakthrough finally arrived at 51:57.

Faith Graziano won a contested ball in Youngstown State territory before working toward the top of the 18-yard box. Graziano found Bonner with space, and the sophomore gathered the pass before firing a left-footed shot into the lower corner of the net.

It was Bonner’s second goal of the season, while Graziano received the assist. More importantly, it gave Navy the 1-0 advantage it would protect for the remaining 38 minutes.

Bonner has now delivered goals in two of Navy’s recent road victories. She also scored during the Midshipmen’s 3-0 victory over VMI on Sept. 6, when Navy produced three second-half goals after entering halftime scoreless.

Stramrood Comes Up Big

Youngstown State did not disappear after falling behind. In fact, the Penguins generated more total shots than Navy in the second half, holding a 9-7 advantage during the final 45 minutes. Both teams finished the afternoon with 15 total shots, illustrating how competitive the match remained despite Youngstown State entering the contest without a victory.

Stramrood became particularly important during the 75th minute.

Youngstown State generated two dangerous opportunities within 42 seconds. Stramrood first turned away an attempt from Emma Berdiner and then denied Baylee Williams following a corner kick. Those saves preserved Navy’s one-goal advantage at a point when the Penguins were applying their strongest pressure of the afternoon.

Stramrood finished with three saves to record her second solo shutout of the season. Navy’s defense has now produced six clean sheets as a team through its first 11 matches.

The final statistics reflected just how close the match was. Navy and Youngstown State each attempted 15 shots, with the Midshipmen holding a narrow 4-3 advantage in shots on goal. Navy also finished with an 8-7 edge in corner kicks.

Navy Finishes Non-Conference Play 7-3-1

Sunday’s victory wrapped up an encouraging non-conference portion of Navy’s schedule.

The Midshipmen went 7-3-1, scoring 24 goals while allowing 11. Navy’s victories included shutouts against Robert Morris, Marywood, Maryland, Radford, VMI and Youngstown State. The Midshipmen also defeated Marist 3-1, while their lone draw came in a 2-2 road match against Delaware.

Navy’s offense demonstrated its ability to overwhelm opponents at several points during the non-conference schedule, including a 5-0 victory at Radford, 4-0 wins over Robert Morris and Marywood and the 3-0 victory at VMI. Sunday’s performance showed another side of the Midshipmen: their ability to win when the offense is not producing multiple goals.

That could become particularly valuable during Patriot League play, where close matches and one-goal decisions can have a major effect on the conference standings.

Head coach Carin Gabarra said afterward that she was proud of Navy’s ability to grind out another road victory after playing four consecutive matches away from home. She also pointed to areas that still require improvement, including patience in possession, decision-making in the attacking third and defensive clearances.

Patriot League Play Comes Next

Navy now turns its attention entirely toward Patriot League competition.

The Midshipmen will open conference play on the road against Boston University on Saturday, Sept. 19, with kickoff scheduled for noon at Nickerson Field. The matchup will also continue Navy’s stretch of road games before the Midshipmen finally return to Annapolis to host Colgate on Sept. 26.

Navy intentionally scheduled consecutive games on artificial surfaces late in the non-conference schedule to prepare for the conditions it will encounter at Boston University. Gabarra said that experience was important because playing on turf can change how teams execute otherwise routine aspects of the game.

The Midshipmen will enter conference play with seven victories, six shutouts and a defense that has shown it can protect narrow leads away from Annapolis.

MSB Take

This was not Navy’s most dominant performance of the season, but it might be one of the more useful victories heading into Patriot League play. The Midshipmen were coming off a disappointing 1-0 loss at Towson, were playing their fourth consecutive road match and faced a Youngstown State team that matched them with 15 shots.

Navy still found a way to win. Bonner provided the quality finish when the opportunity arrived, Graziano created the decisive chance and Stramrood made the saves necessary to protect the lead. Championship-caliber conference teams eventually have to learn how to win matches when everything is not going perfectly, and Navy showed that ability Sunday.

A 7-3-1 non-conference record with six clean sheets gives Navy a solid foundation heading into Patriot League competition. Now the stakes increase considerably, beginning Saturday at Boston University.