Timchal approaches another major milestone
Cindy Timchal was her usual whirlwind self Tuesday afternoon in the Navy women’s lacrosse office.
Timchal took a quick break from watching opponent videotape to speak to an assistant, presumably about a scouting report item.
Practice was about an hour away and Timchal’s mind was clearly on making final preparations. She was focused on the next day’s game against Lehigh and had no idea why a reporter had scheduled an interview.
Timchal cringed when it was mentioned that she was on the verge of a major milestone. The coach honestly had no idea she was two short of reaching 500 career wins.
“I’m always focused on the next challenge and we have two big league games this week so it’s difficult to think about any kind of milestone,” Timchal said. “Actually, it’s a bit of a distraction.”
Senior midfielder Jenna Collins scored a career-high seven goals as No. 13 Navy defeated Lehigh, 18-7, on Wednesday to hand Timchal victory No. 499. Already the all-time winningest women’s lacrosse coach
at the Division I level, Timchal can reach the momentous mark on Saturday at Holy Cross.
Typically, the unassuming mentor downplayed the pending accomplishment and credited others for her unprecedented success.
“I believe everything I have been part of has been because of the tremendous athletes that put it on the line every time they step onto the field,” Timchal said. “I also have to thank the many great assistants that I’ve had over the years along with the administrators who have provided the necessary resources. I’ve been very blessed to have an incredible level of support at every step along the way.”
Sophomore attacker Kelly Larkin scored three goals and dished off four assists for Navy (8-2, 3-0), which outscored Lehigh 9-1 over the final 20 minutes to turn the contest into a rout. Larkin got smacked in the nose by a defender’s stick early in the game and bled so much she had to change jerseys.
Collins, who was also credited with seven draw controls, said the Midshipmen have no intention of making Timchal wait long for the milestone victory.
“Coach Timchal is a legend and we’ll get her that 500th on Saturday,” Collins said.
Timchal will be the second women’s lacrosse coach to amass 500 wins, following closely on the heels of Sharon Pfluger from The College of New Jersey. Pfluger, in her 31st season at the Division III school, picked up No. 500 on Saturday and added another win on Tuesday.
Pfluger, who has known Timchal since the early 1980s, will be happy to welcome her into the exclusive 500 club.
“I have so much respect for Cindy, who has always been such a dynamic coach,” Pfluger told The Capital on Wednesday morning. “Cindy clearly knows how to reach athletes and has great strategy skills. She has been a real pioneer in our sport and accomplished so much.” Navy coach Cindy Timchal, second from right, encouraging her players in a game earlier this season, moved within one victory of her 500th career coaching win Wednesday.
Pfluger, who has directed TCNJ to 11 national champions, marveled at how many Timchal proteges have become successful head coaches in their own right. Duke’s Kerstin Kimel and Northwestern’s Kelly Amonte Hiller, who own 280 and 264 career wins, respectively, lead a list of 10 Division I head coaches that played for Timchal.
“It’s pretty amazing to be at the Final Four and realize that Cindy coached the coaches of the other three schools,” Pfluger said. “That really speaks to the impact she has made.”
Chris Sailer, who has captured three national championships at Princeton, ranks second among Division I women’s lacrosse coaches with 390 wins in 31 seasons. Sailer chuckled at the thought of being 109 wins behind Timchal.
“It really is amazing and it speaks to both her longevity and ability to stay on the cutting edge of the game,” Sailer said of Timchal’s pending milestone. “Cindy just has an incredible passion for the game — a spirit and intensity that is easy to see on the sideline. She knows how to keep things fresh and fun and is a lifelong learner in terms of coaching. She is always thinking outside the box and looking for ways to be innovative.”
Timchal compiled a 76-40 record during a nine-year run at Northwestern then posted a superb 260-46 (.850 winning percentage) mark over a 15-year tenure at Maryland. She has continued to win at a remarkable rate since taking over at Navy, going 163-45 in 11 seasons at the helm.
“I think her ability to amass that many wins at three different programs is really amazing. To start from the ground up at Navy and develop a Final Four program is such an incredible feat,” Sailer said.