Oct. 15, 2006

Box Score

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Lafayette's Thomas Harju converted a penalty kick with five minutes left to hand the Navy men's soccer team a heartbreaking 2-1 setback on Senior Day at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. The loss drops Navy's record to 4-7-2 overall and 0-3-1 in the Patriot League, dealing the Mids a serious blow to their Patriot League Tournament hopes. Lafayette improves to 8-3-1 overall and 3-1-1 in League play. All three goals were scored in the final 8:29, just three minutes, 27 seconds apart.

"I thought we gave a good effort, but Lafayette is the type of team that will take advantage of their opportunities," said assistant coach Patrick Kennedy. Kennedy guided the Mids today after head coach Rich Miranda was dealt a red card during Navy's match with Howard on Tuesday night. "We kept fouling and eventually, they buried their chances. Silly fouls cost us the game."

Lafayette took a 1-0 lead with just 8:29 left in the game when Luke Sullivan headed home a cross from Thomas Harju following a Navy foul. The 6-3 defenseman outjumped the Navy defense after Harju sent a pass from the right corner, scoring his second goal of the season.

However, Navy countered, scoring the equalizer when Addy Strasdas (Tampa, Fla.) netted his first goal of the year in the 85th minute (84:37). McKenzie Plank (Mountain View, Calif.) sent a pass to a streaking Strasdas, who then chipped a shot past Lafayette keeper Scott Backus to tie the game at one.

Lafayette answered with the game winner just 21 seconds later. Zach Pleis (Granite Bay, Calif.) was handed a red card in the box, giving the Leopards a penalty box and forcing Navy to play a man-down for the remaining five minutes. Harju calmy drilled the shot into the top right corner for a 2-1 cushion, and the Leopards were then able to run out the clock for a 2-1 decision.

The game was similar to the last time Lafayette played at Navy, when the Leopards scored the game-winner in the 84th minute for a 1-0 victory in 2004.

Navy dominated the game territorially, outshooting the Leopards, 15-10. Lafayette had four corner kicks to Navy's three. Navy was whistled for 23 fouls to Lafayette's 21 in the physical contest. Evan Barnes (Dublin, Ohio) registered two saves for Navy, while Backus stopped five shots.

The Mids will be on the road for their final three games, beginning Friday night at West Point for the annual Star Game between Army and Navy. Navy owns a 35-24-13 all-time series advantage and are 2-0-3 in the last five meetings. Navy defeated Army, 4-2, last season in front of a national-television audience and 1,319 fans at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.