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The Naval Academy women’s lacrosse team ended its season in May with a pre-game ritual that many enjoyed as a patriotic tribute to the late Toby Keith.
Before their Patriot League semifinal match against Holy Cross, the girls lacrosse team got the crowd excited in the locker room by singing Keith’s hit song, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
Sydney Beitler, a freshman midfielder from Durnestown, Maryland, led the way in the middle of the circle while her teammates stood with their arms around each other’s shoulders.
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Navy players gather before the game as the University of North Carolina Tar Heels host the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen in the quarterfinals of the NCAA women’s lacrosse tournament at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on May 20, 2017. Navy won, 16-14. (Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
They were clearly really into the song, belting it out, and Beitler even did a fake “sneak attack” on Anne Crichert, a senior goalkeeper from Charlotte, North Carolina, by mimicking the lyrics of the song.
The Instagram video then cuts to the Naval Academy vs. College of the Holy Cross game, showing them celebrating after scoring a goal and Keith singing while his team plays in the background.
Naval Academy freshmen climb the 21-foot-tall, oiled Herndon Monument as part of their annual New Year’s tradition.
The Naval Academy outshot Holy Cross 19-5 in the semifinals, with Emily Messinese and Tori DiCarlo each scoring four goals in the win.
The video, which was reposted by OutKick, generated a ton of positive comments from patriots happy to see this future group of female cadets in action.
Navy head coach Cindy Timchal talks with her team before the game as the University of North Carolina Tar Heels host the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen in an NCAA women’s lacrosse tournament quarterfinal game at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on May 20, 2017. Navy won, 16-14. (Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“This is the best thing I’ve seen today!!” one X user wrote.
Another user added: “Toby would be so proud! These girls are first class patriots! I’ve never watched a women’s lacrosse game before but now I have a new fan!”
Unfortunately, the Naval Academy was unable to end the season on a high, losing 12-11 in overtime to No. 7 Loyola University in the Patriot League Championship Finals.
Navy’s Kelly Larkin (7) is introduced as the University of North Carolina Tar Heels host the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen in the quarterfinals of the NCAA women’s lacrosse tournament on May 20, 2017, at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Navy won the game, 16-14. (Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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But there’s no doubting the chemistry these female cadets have with one another as we head into next season, and it’s safe to say there will be plenty of enthusiasm and patriotism on display.
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