FARMVILLE, Va. – Navy attacker Codi Mullen and midfielder Jenna Collins combined for nine goals to lead the Mids to a 15-5 victory over Longwood women's lacrosse in the Lancers' season opener Sunday afternoon at the Athletics Complex.
 
Mullen's game-high five goals and Collins' four paved the way for a strong second-half surge by Navy, which scored six unanswered goals, including two apiece from the goal-scoring duo. After allowing Longwood four straight goals late in the first half, the Mids did not allow a goal in the final 33 minutes of the game.
 
"I thought we fought hard all game against a tough Navy squad," said Elaine Jones, who opened her fourth season as Longwood's head coach. "Unfortunately, we didn't capitalize on our chances on the offensive end in the second half, which led to Navy regaining the momentum and keeping it."
 
The Mids took control early with a 9-1 lead after their first string of six unanswered goals, which started with a goal by Sarah Childress off a free-position shot and was capped off by Collins' fourth goal of the afternoon. The senior Collins opened up the Navy scoring stretch with two goals following Mullen's first, which gave her team a 3-0 lead within the first six minutes of the game.
 
After falling into an eight-goal deficit, the Lancers came alive in the final eight minutes with four unanswered goals, including back-to-back goals from freshman midfielder Stephanie Roberts in a 35-second span. The Baldwinsville, N.Y., product scored her second goal of the day after capitalizing on a pass into the circle from Katie McHugh, who was credited with the assist.
 
McHugh brought the Lancers to within four after senior classmate Sarah Butler set her up for her first goal of the season with just under four minutes remaining in the first half.
 
Longwood held the Navy attack in check for much of the second half, as goalkeeper Imani West recorded seven saves in the period. The sophomore finished the game with 11 saves in her first career start.
 
"Imani made some great saves in the second half, and our defense was able to hold Navy several times. But they had some very good players we just didn't quite match up with in the end," said Jones.
 
However, countering West's work in goal was a fierce Navy defense led by goalkeeper Ingrid Boyum, who recorded five of her seven saves in the final period to pick up her second win this season.
 
The score remained 9-5 up until the final 19 minutes, as Collins was able to draw a foul and then scored on the ensuing free position shot to give the Mids a start to their six-goal burst.
 
Navy's advantage over Longwood in free position shots proved too much for the Lancers, as they converted on five of their nine free position shots. 
 
Longwood's Hollyn Royster put the Lancers on the board at the 19-minute mark with her unassisted goal to bring the Lancers to within two, but could not come closer than four goals down the rest of the way.
 
The Lancers open the season with an 0-1 record after falling in their season opener to the Mids for the third straight season.
 
Longwood will look to capture its first win of the season on the road, as it travels to Elon, N.C. to take on Elon Sunday, Feb. 14. The game's start is slated for 2 p.m.
 
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