Sept. 25, 2011
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Sophomore Sam Newhaller scored in the 16th minute as the Navy women's soccer team (7-3-2) defeated Francis Marion (3-8-1), 1-0, at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility on Sunday afternoon. Navy is now 6-1-1 in its last eight games and ranked No. 10 in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Poll.
"I thought we came out pretty strong with good energy," head coach Carin Gabarra said. "We possessed very well, but I would like to see us get a stronger mentality on putting away chances in the box."
Navy scored the only goal it would need early in the game when sophomore Taylor Batye sent a serve into the box to Newhaller who headed the ball from the far post back across the goal on 15:55.
The goal was Newhaller's third goal of the season and the sixth goal of her career. The assist was Batye's first career point. Newhaller and Batye both hail from Tampa, Fla. and were scholastic teammates at Berkeley Prep.
The Mids outshot Francis Marion, 19-4 in the game. Navy outshot Francis Marion, 11-0, in the first half and the Patriots did not record their first shot until the 75th minute of action. Navy led in shots on goal, 9-2, and corner kicks, 5-2.
Sophomore goalkeeper Alexes Lopez-Shaw made two saves to earn her seventh win of the year and her fifth shutout. Lopez-Shaw lowers her GAA to 0.78 and boasts a save percentage of .824.
"Our defense has been solid," said Gabarra. "We defend with all 11 players and our team defense has been strong. Our back four are very organized and communicate very well."
Lopez-Shaw's first save came in the 75th minute and she made her second in the 88th minute when Francis Marion had a nice cross to the box but Lopez-Shaw was right on the shooter's foot as she connected on the chance to help Navy preserve the win.
One of Navy's best opportunities to push the lead to 2-0 came in the 41st minute when freshman Brooke Merchant sent a nice ball into the box to an oncoming Brittany Fruin who ripped a one-touch shot on goal that was saved by Francis Marion keeper Lauren Vetock.
Navy's next game will be its Patriot League opener, at American Saturday at 1:00 PM. Navy was picked to finish fourth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll.
"We're excited to start [Patriot League play]," Gabarra said. "We have been getting better every game. We've been possessing the ball well and attacking in numbers. We've been organized and all the pieces seem to be falling into place."
Notes: Navy is now 3-0-0 all-time against Francis Marion ... the Mids improve to 5-1-0 at home this season ... Newhaller is now tied for the team lead in goals (3) with sophomore Paloma Perez and freshman Caprice Kelty ... this was Navy's first game in its last five outings to end in regulation.
