Oct. 2, 2007
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Senior defensemen Brett Copare and Will Riordon scored goals 2:22 apart early in the first half and Navy cruised to a 3-0 win on Tuesday night over Philadelphia University. The win moves Navy's record to 5-2-1 overall, matching the win total for all of last year. The 5-2-1 mark through eight games is the program's best since 2001 (5-1-2).
"It was nice to get off to such a strong start. We knew the longer they stayed in the game, the more confidence they would gain, so we wanted to get off fast," said Navy head coach Rich Miranda. "It allowed us to relax and play everyone. It's important for us to get our young guys some experience and we were able to do that for the second time in two weeks."
Navy wasted little time getting on the board, scoring on its first three shots of the game. Brett Copare (Pittsgrove, N.J.) scored his first career goal on a pretty give-and-go with Eric Gorden (Longwood, Fla.). Gorden received a pass from Copare, then dropped it back to the senior defenseman, who slid a low, hard shot just inside the right post for a 1-0 advantage just 3:18 into the game. The assist was Gorden's third of the season and seventh of his career.
The Mids pushed the lead to 2-0 just two minutes, 22 seconds later, when Will Riordon (Oak Ridge, N.C.) scored his first career goal. Riordon sent a shot into the box that was deflected off a Philadelphia defender and into the goal just inside the left post. The unassisted goal came at the 5:40 mark.
Navy's last goal came off a corner kick in the 19th minute. Travis King (Loveland, Ohio) flicked in a perfect cross from sophomore Mark Garcia (Tempe, Ariz.) past the Ram goalkeeper. King's goal was his second of the season and eighth of his career. Garcia's helper was his third of the season and fourth of his career.
Navy then coasted the rest of the way, threatening to extend the lead, but were unable to find the back of the net.
"I thought we came out extremely flat in the second half, which was discouraging," said Miranda. "We challenged them in the locker room to come out with the same intensity, and we didn't do it. We didn't respond in the second half."
Thomas Jenkins (Franklin, N.C.) stopped two shots in goal to earn his third career shutout and run his career record to 7-3-1.
"Thomas has been playing well in practice and deserved the chance. He has gained back a lot of confidence from his injury last year," said Miranda. "He and (Evan) Barnes are really still battling it out for that goalkeeper position."
The Mids dominated statistically, outshooting the Rams, 16-6, and were whistled for just 10 fouls to Philadelphia's 15. Both teams recorded four corner kicks.
Navy will return to Patriot League play when it travels to Bethlehem, Pa., for a key early-season matchup with 2007 preseason favorite, Lehigh. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 pm.
# GO NAVY #
