Loyola Women’s Soccer Falls to Navy in Heartbreaking Penalty Shootout, Ends Historic 2026 Season
By Brian Hradsky
Final: Loyola Maryland 1, Navy 1 (2OT) — Navy advances 3-2 on penalty kicks
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Loyola Maryland women’s soccer team’s remarkable 2026 season ended in heartbreaking fashion Wednesday afternoon as the Greyhounds fell to top-seeded Navy in a penalty shootout during the Patriot League Tournament semifinals at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. After battling to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes, Loyola watched Navy rally from an early shootout deficit to advance 3-2 on penalty kicks.
The sixth-seeded Greyhounds refused to back down against the tournament favorites, overcoming an early deficit and generating several dangerous scoring opportunities throughout the contest. Senior defender Kaleigh Darby delivered the equalizer in the 52nd minute, while goalkeeper Hannah Goetzer helped keep Loyola alive through regulation and overtime. The result ended Loyola’s season at 4-4-11, with its 11 draws establishing an NCAA Division I single-season record.
Navy Strikes Early, but Loyola Responds
Navy entered the semifinal with a 14-4-3 overall record and the tournament’s No. 1 seed after finishing 7-1-1 in Patriot League play. The Midshipmen quickly established offensive pressure, forcing Loyola to defend against an attack that ultimately produced 18 shots. Freshman midfielder Sophia Ryan broke through at the 10:07 mark, scoring her sixth goal of the season to give Navy a 1-0 advantage.
Loyola refused to let the early setback determine the outcome. The Greyhounds continued competing for possession and attacking opportunities, recording three first-half shots despite Navy’s nine attempts. Eva McGorian forced goalkeeper Natasha Stramrood into an early save, demonstrating that Loyola could threaten Navy’s defense.
The second half brought the breakthrough Loyola needed. At the 51:05 mark, sophomore forward Savannah Manset created the opportunity that allowed Darby to score her first goal of the season. The senior defender converted the chance, leveling the contest at 1-1 and shifting the momentum of the semifinal.
Darby’s goal carried enormous significance for a Loyola team fighting to extend its season. After conceding in the 11th minute, the Greyhounds had maintained their composure against the Patriot League’s top seed. Their persistence transformed what initially appeared to be a difficult afternoon into a dramatic postseason battle.
Goetzer and Loyola’s Defense Keep the Greyhounds Alive
With the game tied, Navy continued searching for the winning goal. The Midshipmen finished with an 18-9 advantage in total shots, but Loyola’s defensive organization and goalkeeping prevented Navy from converting that pressure into another score. Goetzer recorded four saves, including an important stop against Ryan during the first overtime period.
Although Navy generated more attempts, Loyola produced six shots on goal compared with Navy’s five. The Greyhounds also held a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks, demonstrating their ability to create attacking opportunities despite facing the tournament’s highest seed. Those numbers reflected a competitive contest rather than one controlled entirely by Navy.
Loyola’s late offensive pressure nearly produced a dramatic winner. Manset tested Stramrood in the 99th minute, while Brigid McElderry and Rylie Van Wingerden each registered shots on goal during the final minute of the second overtime. Stramrood made the necessary stops, preserving the tie and forcing the semifinal into a penalty shootout.
For 110 minutes, the Greyhounds had matched Navy on the scoreboard. They had recovered from an early deficit, challenged the Midshipmen’s defense and remained within reach of an appearance in the Patriot League championship game. Ultimately, the outcome would be decided from the penalty spot.
Penalty Shootout Delivers Heartbreaking Finish
Loyola appeared to seize control when the shootout began. Francesca Khachatourians and Betzael Contreras converted the Greyhounds’ first two attempts, giving Loyola an early 2-0 advantage. With Navy facing elimination, the pressure shifted squarely onto the Midshipmen.
Stramrood then delivered the defining performance of the afternoon. The Navy goalkeeper stopped three consecutive Loyola attempts, denying Reagan Mallia, Katie Ormerod and McElderry. Meanwhile, Sona Gonzales, Helen Bonner and Sofia Grundy converted Navy’s final three attempts.
The dramatic turnaround gave Navy a 3-2 shootout victory and sent the Midshipmen into the Patriot League championship game. Loyola’s players were left with the disappointment of coming within a few successful penalty kicks of eliminating the tournament’s top seed. The Greyhounds had not lost the match during regulation or overtime, but the shootout ended their postseason run.
A Historic Season Defined by Competitive Resilience
Loyola concluded the 2026 campaign with four victories, four defeats and 11 draws. The unusually high number of ties established an NCAA Division I record for a single season, illustrating how frequently the Greyhounds competed in closely contested matches. Their 3-3-3 Patriot League regular-season record helped them reach the conference tournament as the sixth seed.
The semifinal offered another example of Loyola’s ability to remain competitive against difficult opposition. Navy entered with 14 victories, a strong conference record and home-field advantage, yet the Greyhounds matched the Midshipmen for 110 minutes. Their season ended without a regulation or overtime defeat in the semifinal.
For Darby, the equalizing goal provided a memorable contribution in the final match of Loyola’s season. Manset’s assist and Goetzer’s goalkeeping were equally important in extending the contest. Although the Greyhounds could not secure the victory, their collective performance demonstrated the determination that characterized their postseason run.
The program now turns toward the offseason after a campaign that will occupy a unique place in NCAA women’s soccer history. Loyola’s challenge will be translating its ability to earn results in close matches into additional victories. The Greyhounds demonstrated that they could compete with the Patriot League’s strongest teams, but their record also highlighted the importance of turning narrow margins into wins.
Navy Advances to Face Boston University
Navy’s victory secured a place in Sunday’s Patriot League championship game against fourth-seeded Boston University. The Terriers advanced with a 3-2 semifinal victory over second-seeded Army West Point, setting up a championship matchup between Navy and Boston University.
The title game is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at 1 p.m. at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis. The winner will earn the Patriot League’s automatic berth in the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship. Navy will pursue its first conference tournament championship since the 2020-21 season.
MSB Take: Loyola Deserved a Better Ending
Loyola’s semifinal defeat is particularly difficult because the Greyhounds did almost everything necessary to pull off an upset. They absorbed Navy’s early pressure, responded with a second-half goal and generated opportunities to win in overtime. Against the conference’s top seed, that was an impressive showing.
The most frustrating aspect was how close Loyola came to advancing. A 2-0 advantage in the penalty shootout gave the Greyhounds a genuine opportunity to reach the championship game, but Stramrood’s three consecutive saves changed everything. Navy deserves credit for its composure, yet Loyola will undoubtedly remember how narrowly it missed a championship appearance.
The 11-draw NCAA record also tells an interesting story about this team. Loyola proved difficult to beat, finishing with only four losses in 19 matches, but it struggled to turn enough of those competitive performances into victories. Finding more offensive consistency could make a significant difference moving forward.
For Maryland college soccer, this semifinal showcased two programs capable of competing at a high level. Navy moves forward with championship ambitions, while Loyola leaves with a historic record and the knowledge that it pushed the tournament favorite to the absolute limit. The ending was painful, but the Greyhounds have plenty of reasons to take pride in their season.
