Sept. 23, 2007
Box Score
MIAMI, Fla. -- Andrew Garcia scored a pair of second-half goals to lift the Navy men's soccer team past Florida International, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon. The win moves Navy's record to 4-1-1 overall, the best start for the program since the 2001 team opened the year 5-0-1. The Mids overcame an early FIU goal and one-hour, seven-minute weather delay in the first half to earn the victory.
"We played very well in the first half, but then got back on our heels some when we got the lead," said Navy head coach Rich Miranda. "Andrew Garcia had a fantastic game and put away his chances in the second half, and Thomas Jenkins and Anthony Parker were very good on the defensive end. It was obviously a successful weekend, but we have work to do and that is what may be exciting about this team."
The Panthers came into the game with a 0-5-2 record, but played nationally-ranked UConn, South Florida and Michigan State teams to one-goal games.
"For that team to be winless is incredible and shows what kind of schedule they have played," said Miranda. "They were an incredibly talented team. We were fortunate to get the win against them and it is a very solid win for our team."
Navy, just as it did in its 4-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night, jumped out of the gates early. Sophomore Chris Schneider (Arlington, Texas) scored in the 16th minute off a set piece to give Navy a 1-0 advantage. The goal was the first of his career.
FIU knotted the score at 1-1 in the 29th minute on a tally by Levi Coleman, which remained the halftime score.
The Mids took the lead for good in the 54th minute when Garcia scored the first of his two second-half goals. The sophomore from Garland, Texas, took a long pass from Schneider and beat the goalie one-on-one for his second goal of the season. Garcia would then put the game out of reach in the 88th minute with his second goal of the contest, as he got behind the defense and sent a shot from just outside the penalty box past the FIU goalie. It was his first career multi-goal game.
The Mids were outshot, 14-12, for the game, including 10-3 in the second half. Both teams drew seven corner kicks, while Navy was whistled for just nine fouls, while FIU was called for 12.
Thomas Jenkins (Franklin, N.C.) made seven saves while seeing his first action of the season.
"Our defense was outstanding again today," said Miranda. "We are doing a great job of not fouling, and even with the pressure we saw in the second half, we responded very well and didn't cave in."
The back-to-back road wins were the first wins in two consecutive road games since Oct. 6-13, 2001.
Navy has now scored 11 goals already in just six games this year, one year after scoring just 18 (in 16 games) in all of 2006. A question mark coming into the season was Navy's ability to score, but Miranda hopes that those questions have been answered somewhat.
"We are getting very good production from a lot of players," said Miranda. "Friday night, it was Doug DeVuono. Today, it was Andrew Garcia. The goals are coming from all over and a lot of players are contributing."
Last year, Navy had three players with two or more goals all season, and just eight players scored goals in 2006. This year, Navy has had three players score at least two goals already and six players have found the back of the net in six games.
The Mids will open the Patriot League season next Saturday night against 2006 NCAA Second-Round participant Bucknell, at 7:00 pm at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. Fans are reminded that those with tickets to next Saturday's football game with Air Force can get into the soccer game free with the football ticket stub. For ticket information, call 1-800-US4-NAVY.
# GO NAVY #
