Head coach Rick Sowell expressed great confidence in the Navy offense and mild concern about the defense in the week leading up to Saturday’s season opener.
That’s because the Midshipmen had several proven performers and a handful of impressive newcomers on offense while the defense was very young and inexperienced.
One of Sowell’s worries involved the health status of goalkeeper Ryan Kern, who was expected to anchor a defense that included five sophomore starters. Kern missed almost two weeks with a back issue and Sowell did not know on Tuesday afternoon whether he would be ready to start the opener.