Oct. 17, 2008
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy women's soccer team (11-3-2, 3-0-1 PL) pitched its fifth consecutive shutout as the Mids battled visiting American (5-9-2, 2-1-1 PL) to a scoreless draw on Friday night in Patriot League action at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.
"I thought we got wrapped up in the competition and never really played our game," said Navy head coach Carin Gabarra. "It was a very physical match from both teams, but it wasn't really pretty soccer. We didn't attack particularly well tonight and need to do a better job of getting numbers forward."
Senior Lizzie Barnes (New Orleans, La.) made three saves to record her fifth shutout this season, lowering her league-leading goals-against average to a paltry 0.69. Barnes, who earlier this week was selected as one of 10 national finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award, now has 26 career shutouts, including 11 against Patriot League foes.
The two sides combined to produce just four shots on goal over the first 90 minutes, with the Eagles' carrying a 3-1 edge at the end of regulation.American's Tatiana Bertolo registered the first shot on goal in the 41st minute off a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. Bertolo's attempt cleared the wall, but was calmly snagged out of the air by Barnes for the first of her three saves on the evening.
The Mids, unbeaten in their last seven games (6-0-1), held a 13-6 advantage in shots, but only managed to put two on target over the course of the 110-minute contest.
Navy outshot the Eagles 3-0 during the two overtime periods, and generated the best opportunity of the night in 99th minute as senior Kristen Laraway's (Long Valley, N.J.) shot struck the inside right post for what would have been her second overtime-winner this fall.Charging down the left-side with only one defender to beat, Laraway used a brilliant step-over move to create separation and sent a curling strike that came just inches away from ending it and nearly sent the Navy bench pouring onto the field in celebration.
The close-call seemed to energize the Mids, who dictated the pace in the second extra session, but for just the third time this season, were kept off the scoreboard come the final whistle.
The Mids, who own an 8-2-2 mark at home this fall, play host to in-state foe UMBC as the longest homestand in program history comes to a close on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Prior to the start of Sunday's contest, Navy will hold a short ceremony honoring the Mids' decorated eight-member senior class.
Notes: Navy has not allowed a goal since Saint Francis (Pa.) scored in the 52nd minute on Sept. 28 - a span of 512:38 ... The Mids have not allowed a goal in Patriot League play this season ... Navy has now shutout nine opponents this season.
