Oct. 13, 2007
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy men's soccer team pressured the American defense all night, but it was the Eagles' Daniel Shannon's goal in the 72nd minute that gave American a 1-0 victory over the Midshipmen at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility on Saturday night. The loss drops Navy's record to 5-4-2 overall and 0-3-0 in the Patriot League. American, a Patriot League co-leader, improved to 5-6-2 overall and 2-0-1 in league play.
"There isn't too much to say," said a disappointed Navy head coach Rich Miranda. "We felt we deserved a better result, and we played very, very hard tonight. The breaks just didn't go our way and American took advantage of the chances they had. We left it all out on the field. We had our chances and couldn't bury them and they had their chances and buried one of them. We have a tough road ahead now, and it will show what kind of character this team has."
American got the better of the play in the first half, but it was Navy that had the best opportunity. With just over four minutes left in the first half, Justin Waskey (Georgetown, Ky.) had a shot saved by American goalkeeper Chris Sedlak from in close. As Waskey went for the rebound, he was ran over from behind to give the Mids a penalty kick. Senior Eric Gorden (Longwood, Fla.) took the kick, sliding a low shot to the left corner that Sedlak got a hand on and sent wide of the net to keep Navy off the board.
Navy turned up the offensive heat in the second half and nearly got on the board with about 20 minutes left. Anthony Parker (Fredericksburg, Va.) and Waskey both had outstanding looks at the goal that Sedlak thwarted. Moments after the Navy flurry, American's Daniel Shannon took a long pass to the right, dribbled into the middle and sent a rocket into the low left corner that beat Thomas Jenkins (Franklin, N.C.) for a 1-0 American lead.
"The kid made a great play and I think our defense was getting a little tired at that point," said Miranda. "Our second defender was too far away, but give him credit too. He just made a great play with a great shot."
After that, Navy threw everything it had at Sedlak trying to get the equalizer, including outstanding chances by Parker and Adam Pennington (Tampa, Fla.), but just couldn't find the net as Navy was shut out for the third straight game, 1-0. The shutout loss marks the first time Navy has been shut out in three straight games since the 2005 season and the first time the Mids have been shut out in four-of-five games since Oct. 17 to Nov. 5, 2004. Navy is currently riding a 327-minute scoreless streak.
The Mids outshot American, 14-8, and drew nine corner kicks, including six in the second half, to just three for the Eagles. Navy also couldn't take advantage of 25 American fouls. Navy was whistled for just 13 fouls. Both keepers were outstanding in goal, as Jenkins recorded six saves, while Sedlak made eight.
The road won't get any easier in Navy's next game as it heads to 2006 Big East champion and 18th-ranked West Virginia on Tuesday night. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 pm in Morgantown, W.Va.
# GO NAVY #
