Navy women’s soccer blanks Maryland 2-0 in Annapolis for program’s 400th win
Navy women’s soccer delivered one of the biggest in-state victories of the young season Thursday night, shutting out Maryland 2-0 at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis.
The Midshipmen scored twice in the opening 18 minutes and then protected the lead the rest of the night, handing Maryland its first loss of the 2026 season. The result improved Navy to 3-2-1 and dropped the Terrapins to 2-1-1. It also marked the 400th victory in Navy women’s soccer program history.
For Maryland, the frustrating part was that the Terps actually generated more shots. Maryland finished with a 13-10 edge in total attempts and put six on goal, but Navy goalkeeper Stramrood stopped all six to preserve the clean sheet.
Navy strikes early
Navy wasted little time taking control.
Stella Jones scored in the seventh minute on the first shot of the match, finishing a chance created by Kayana Adlam to put the Midshipmen ahead 1-0.
Maryland responded with pressure of its own. Abigail Stager recorded the Terps’ first shot in the 10th minute and forced Navy into an early save, but Maryland could not find the equalizer.
Then Navy doubled the lead.
Adlam converted a free kick in the 18th minute for her second goal of the season, giving the Midshipmen a 2-0 advantage before the match had reached the 20-minute mark.
That early burst ended up deciding the game.
Maryland creates chances but cannot finish
The Terrapins were not without opportunities.
Eight different Maryland players recorded shots, and five Terps had multiple attempts. Maryland finished the night with 13 shots, including nine in the second half, while Navy had 10 overall.
Ary Oliver put an early second-half effort on frame, and Emily Lenhard later forced another Navy save in the 69th minute.
Jolie Farmer also recorded two first-half shots as Maryland continued to search for a breakthrough.
But every time the Terps threatened, Navy’s defense held.
Stramrood finished with six saves and never allowed Maryland to cut into the lead.
Navy’s defense closes it out
After scoring twice early, Navy did not need to chase the game.
The Midshipmen were able to sit on the lead and defend with discipline while Maryland tried to create more attacking chances.
Maryland goalkeeper Faith Luckey made two saves in the second half, including an important stop in the 54th minute that kept the deficit at 2-0.
Navy also finished with a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks, showing that the Midshipmen were still able to create pressure even after taking the early lead.
The Terps never found the goal they needed to change the momentum.
A milestone night for Navy
The victory carried extra significance for the Navy program.
The win was the 400th in program history, giving the Midshipmen another milestone under a program that has long been one of the most consistent women’s soccer teams in the region.
Jones’ opening goal stood as the game-winner, while Adlam finished with a goal and an assist.
Navy’s ability to score on its first opportunity, capitalize on a set piece and then defend for more than 70 minutes was the difference.
Maryland suffers first loss
For Maryland, the result ended an unbeaten start to the season.
The Terrapins entered the night 2-0-1 and had not lost through their first three matches. Navy became the first team to defeat Maryland in 2026.
Maryland still leads the all-time series against Navy 13-5-2, but Thursday belonged to the Midshipmen.
The Terps return home Sept. 3 to face Old Dominion, while Navy continued its schedule with a home match against Marist.
MSB Take
This was a classic example of one team making its chances count and the other failing to finish.
Maryland outshot Navy. The Terps had more shots on goal. They pushed for most of the second half and created enough opportunities to get back into the game.
None of that mattered because Navy was more efficient.
The Midshipmen scored on the first shot of the match, added another goal on a free kick less than 12 minutes later and then trusted their defense and goalkeeper to finish the job.
From Navy’s perspective, this is exactly the kind of in-state win that can build momentum. Beating Maryland is always significant, and doing it with a clean sheet while also collecting the 400th victory in program history makes the night even more memorable.
For Maryland, there is no reason to overreact to one loss. The Terps still generated offense and did not look overwhelmed. The problem was execution in the final third.
That is the lesson from this one.
Navy finished.
Maryland did not.
And in a rivalry match between two Maryland programs, that was enough to make the difference.
