Navy Women’s Soccer Battles Delaware to 2-2 Draw on the Road
Navy women’s soccer earned a hard-fought result in its first road match of the 2026 season, battling Delaware to a 2-2 draw Sunday evening in Newark.
The Midshipmen twice held the lead against an unbeaten Blue Hens squad, getting an own goal created by Helen Bonner’s first-half free kick before senior Ali Barrow scored in the second half. Delaware answered both times, including a late equalizer in the 78th minute, as the teams finished level after 90 minutes.
The draw moved Navy to 1-2-1 on the season, while Delaware moved to 2-0-1. It was an encouraging response for the Mids after back-to-back shutout losses against Rice and Air Force.
Navy Strikes First
The match opened with both teams pushing the pace and generating opportunities.
Navy senior Chiara Cosenza recorded the first shot on goal in the 16th minute, but Delaware goalkeeper Sophia Hall made the save.
The Mids broke through at the 21:20 mark. Bonner sent a free kick deep into the Delaware penalty area, where the ball deflected off a Blue Hens defender and into the net for an own goal.
The score gave Navy a 1-0 advantage and put pressure on Delaware to chase the game.
Navy goalkeeper Natasha Stramrood and the defense then helped preserve the lead through the remainder of the first half.
Stramrood made an aggressive play off her line in the 33rd minute to break up a dangerous Delaware opportunity. Later in the half, she stopped a shot from Brooke Vogel before Barrow cleared the loose ball away from the goal line.
Navy carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Delaware Responds After Halftime
The Blue Hens came out aggressively in the second half.
After Stramrood punched a dangerous attempt over the crossbar in the 48th minute, Delaware continued applying pressure inside the Navy penalty area.
A video review in the 50th minute resulted in a handball call against Navy and awarded Delaware a penalty kick.
Gabby Riley converted the penalty to tie the match at 1-1.
Delaware nearly took the lead just minutes later when Olivia Bley beat Stramrood with a shot, but sophomore Emmalea Sidorsky covered the back post and made an important defensive save to keep the match tied.
Barrow Puts Navy Back Ahead
Navy responded with another dangerous set piece.
Bonner again sent a free kick into the attacking area. Cosenza got an opportunity and struck the post, but Barrow charged toward the rebound and finished the loose ball to give Navy a 2-1 lead in the 61st minute.
It was Barrow’s first goal of the 2026 season and the second goal of her collegiate career.
Bonner was involved in the buildup of both Navy goals, while Cosenza continued to create scoring chances in the attacking third.
Delaware Finds Late Equalizer
Navy remained in position for the road victory until the final stages of the match.
Delaware continued pressing and finally found the equalizer in the 78th minute when Maggie Groh scored to make it 2-2.
Both teams generated another shot on goal during the final 10 minutes, but neither could find the decisive third goal.
Navy left Newark with a 2-2 draw against a Delaware program that entered the game undefeated after losing only twice during the 2025 season.
By the Numbers
Navy finished with a 15-13 advantage in total shots, while Delaware held a 7-5 edge in shots on goal.
The Blue Hens also had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Stramrood finished with five saves according to Navy’s game recap, including several important stops during Delaware’s second-half push.
For Navy, the result also ended a two-game scoring drought. The Mids had been shut out by Rice, 3-0, and Air Force, 4-0, before scoring twice Sunday.
Through four matches, Navy has scored six goals while allowing nine.
Encouraging Road Result for the Mids
For Navy, the draw represented progress against a quality opponent.
Head coach Carin Gabarra praised her team’s defensive effort and noted that Delaware’s attacking ability forced Navy to stay disciplined throughout the match.
Gabarra also highlighted the performances of underclassmen Sidorsky and Stella Jones, who both made their first starts of the season, along with the continued offensive impact of Cosenza.
Navy showed more attacking life than it had during its previous two matches and created enough opportunities to leave Delaware with three points. Although surrendering the late tying goal was disappointing, getting a result on the road against an unbeaten opponent gives the Mids something positive to build on.
What’s Next
Navy now returns to Annapolis for a busy stretch of three home games.
The Midshipmen host Marywood University on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. Navy will then face Maryland on Thursday at 7 p.m. before closing the week against Marist on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Maryland matchup should provide another strong early-season test as Navy continues preparing for Patriot League play.
Final: Navy 2, Delaware 2
Navy record: 1-2-1
Next game: Navy vs. Marywood, Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Annapolis
