Nov. 9, 2007

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- A pair of goals by senior forward Brigitte Fox (La Mesa, Calif.) led the third-seeded Navy women's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout over No. 2 seed American in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals on a rainy Friday afternoon played at Varsity Soccer Field in Lewisburg, Pa. It marked the first two goals scored by Fox in three appearances in the Patriot League Tournament during her collegiate career.

"We're thrilled with the win today," said Navy head coach Carin Gabarra, who has led Navy to wins in each of its last five Patriot League Tournament appearances. "There weren't a lot of chances either way, but we were fortunate enough to put ours away."

Though Navy collected its 10th shutout of the year, it wasn't as easy as the final score might appear. American won the opening possession, taking the ball quickly to the box where a cross to First-Team All-Patriot League forward Kelsey Brasher deflected off a defender and to the feet of another of AU's All-Patriot League forwards, Krystn Hodge. Hodge was on the doorstep when she kicked what was sure to result in a goal. However, she mis-hit the ball, sending it fluttering into the air where Navy junior keeper Lizzie Barnes (New Orleans, La.) was able to snatch the ball out of play.

Fifteen minutes elapsed before Navy was able to get off its first shot. Defensive Player of the Year Annette Scott lost her footing at the top of the box, enabling Navy junior midfielder CiAnna Weikle (Lakeville, Minn.) a wide-open opportunity at the goal, but the ball sailed just over the cross bar.

With 21 minutes left in the opening half, Barnes was lured out of the goal by Brasher, leaving the goal unmanned. Brasher, though, was unable to get a good touch on the ball as Navy junior defender Jenn Dunbar (Crofton, Md.) did a sensational job of challenging Brasher and getting the ball out of the box. Meanwhile, rookie defender Friederike Engel sent a shot from 25 yards out that Barnes swallowed up.

Just seconds later, Navy found itself with its own goal-scoring opportunity. Navy was on its attacking third when a mistake by an American defender allowed Midshipman midfielder Brittany White (Carmel, Ind.) to send a pass down the left sideline to Fox. Fox raced down the field with her defender at her footsteps and sent a shot from a tight angle that sailed past a diving Kelsey Wiggins, the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year. Wiggins has given up eight goals in 2007, four of of which have been scored by the Midshipmen.

"Brigitte's shot was at an extremely tough angle," said Gabarra. "In addition, she put it on her left foot and shot the ball which is something she has improved upon greatly since suffering a knee injury a few years ago."

Navy's 1-0 lead would hold at the half where most of the statistics showed a dead-even game. The Eagles held a 6-5 advantage in shots, while both teams were awarded a corner kick.

The Midshipmen sent three shots en route to the goal, including a 30-yard blast by junior defender Carey Young (Virginia Beach, Va.) that was saved, before American could get a good look at the goal.

The Eagles were held to just two shots in the second half with the best look a a 30-yard shot by Irene Karistinos that sailed wide right 17 minutes into the second stanza.

In the 65th minute, Weikle sent a ball to Fox who sprinted past her defender and caught the ball on the run. With only the keeper to beat, Fox fired off a 10-yard shot, looking to give the Mids a 2-0 lead. Wiggins, however, kept a solid foundation beneath her and anticipated the shot, making a flawless.

For a second time on the evening, Barnes came out of the goal to challenge an American forward. With just over 18 minutes remaining, Brasher passed off to Brooke Sheppard who would have had a wide-open look at the goal. Instead, Sheppard was stalked by Navy rookie midfielder Christine Calderon (Yorktown, Va.) who helped stymie the American rally.

Fox scored her second goal of the game at the 86-minute mark when Second-Team All-Patriot League midfielder Julie Reynolds (Sherman, Conn.) served Fox from mid-field. Fox ran the ball down again and chipped the ball over Wiggins' head to give Navy the insurance goal.

Navy's leading scorer this fall with 16 goals, Fox has been on fire as of late. She has produced nine goals in the last four games has accounted for nine of the Mids' last 14 goals. Sixteen goals are the most by a Navy player since the late Stacy Finley set the record with 19 in 2002.

"We've put everything on Brigitte's shoulders this year," added Gabarra. "I talked to her about that very subject last spring and again this fall and Brigitte has embraced the opportunity. I really couldn't ask more from her.

"Brigitte isn't just fast, she's a smart, skilled player who creates chances for her teammates and finishes those her teammates create for her."

Fox and her Midshipmen teammates will face the winner of tonight's Bucknell-Army contest on Sunday for the Patriot League Tournament title. Game time is slated for 1:00 pm at Varsity Soccer Field in Lewisburg, Pa.