A standout, four-goal performance from Stephanie Lathrop led the Annapolis Blues women to its eighth win of the season, a 4-0 win over Virginia Atlantic, and extended the team’s unbeaten streak to nine games.
Annapolis has now scored 32 goals this season, posting seven clean sheets through its nine matches, and sits atop the Chesapeake Division with 25 points.
In her first start of the season Isabelle Franklin would set up Lathrop as the Blues opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes. Driving down the pitch and directly at the Virginia Atlantic backline, Franklin played a through ball from 25 yards out to Lathrop on the right wing. Franklin’s pass found the Dartmouth College striker in stride who, as she entered the box, unleashed a first time shot that beat the outstretched hand of Amelia Cross, finding the bottom left corner from 10 yards out.
Caroline Duffy showed just why Head Coach Ashly Kennedy has been giving her the nod as of late, coming up with a big save in the 12th minute. Marissa Gross picked up the ball on the left wing and drove in towards goal. As she approached the center of the pitch, she unleashed a shot from 30 yards out that was destined for the right corner’s side netting. Duffy was equal to and used a strong two hand push at full stretch to turn away Gross’ chance.
Lathrop would double both her individual and the team’s tally as she added a second goal on the cusp of halftime. Receiving a bouncing ball from the opposite side of the pitch, Lathrop, who was just outside the box, took two touches and cut inside. Nearing the middle of the pitch, she let go a curling effort that nestled into bottom corner of the back post.
Quickly into the second half, Annapolis was awarded a penalty kick. Amanda Graziano stepped up to the spot. Wasting no time, she began her run up the second the referee blew his whistle. Aiming for the top right corner, the U.S Naval Academy standout’s shot went just wide of the goal, leaving the Blues with just a two goal lead.
It wasn’t long before Annapolis put away a third goal. Amanda Schafer, whose initial pass was intercepted, won the ball back on the right wing from a stray Virginia Atlantic tackle. She took one touch and slipped a pass to none other than Lathrop. With her eyes set on goal, she effortlessly beat her defender, cutting inside, before rifling home a shot that shook the left side-netting of the goal, recording her first ever USL W League hattrick for the Blues.
Being awarded a second penalty in the match, it was decided that someone else would step up; and who else but Lathrop to take the chance in the 66th minute. Her straightforward run up gave Cross no clues as to where she would pick her spot. Ultimately, Lathrop placed her shot on the ground, in the right-center side of goal, easily beating Cross.
The lockdown defense that has been on display all season continued throughout the 90 minutes, allowing very few chances and shutting down Virginia Atlantic’s attack.
Annapolis will return home for its final match of the regular season, facing off against Richmond Ivy on Saturday, June 28. With kickoff slated for 5 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Blues will look to complete a historic undefeated inaugural regular season in the USL W League.
