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ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Seniors Grant Valenstein and Geoff Fries both tallied goals as the Navy men's soccer team (6-4-2, 2-1 PL) knocked off #20 American (7-3-1, 1-2 PL), 2-0, at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility on Wednesday evening. Navy earns its second straight conference win and is now 2-0-1 against Top 25 opponents this season.

"It was another hard-fought Patriot League game and it was very even in a lot of respects," said head coach Dave Brandt. "To get the first goal was big and then we were able to add a second later. It was going to have to be a gritty performance and I'm proud of the guys."

Sophomore Sam Bascom sent a cross into the box from the right side in the 77th minute and American goalkeeper Dylan Hobert punched it away. Valenstein took control of the ball 22 yards out and fired a shot back in. Junior Derek Vogel was able to screen Hobert and the ball found its way to the right side of the goal. It was Valenstein's second goal of the season.

Navy added its second goal in the 89th minute when junior Thomas Shiiba chipped a ball up to junior Jamie Dubyoski near midfield, Dubyoski headed the ball forward and Fries timed his run perfectly to break through the backline onside. Fries came in on Hobert on a breakaway and slotted the ball to the far right post to put Navy ahead 2-0.

"American started to push up because they needed to get a goal so it gave us an opportunity to get behind them," said Brandt.

Earlier in the game, Bascom had a key play in Navy's defensive end in the 59th minute. American's Joe Iraola shot the ball on target but Bascom was able to clear it off the goal line.

Just two minutes later, sophomore Daniel Camuti nearly scored but his header went just over the cross bar.

American's Dale Ludwig got free in the 73rd minute but his shot sailed wide right.

American also had a team save in the 28th minute when following a Shiiba corner kick, senior Joseph Greenspan head the ball on target but an Eagle defender was there to stop the ball on the goal line.

Navy goalkeeper Jackson Morgan was impressive with five saves for his second straight shutout and Greenspan had another strong game anchoring Navy's backline from his center back position.

Navy held a slight edge in overall shots (17-16) and corner kicks (6-5).

American had been as high as No. 12 in the nation this season and the Eagles own a win over then-No. 1 UCLA.

Navy is an impressive 2-0-1 against nationally ranked opponents this season. The Mids defeated then-No. 10 Maryland, 2-1, on September 8 and also tied with then-No. 20 George Mason on September 30.

After playing three of nine conference games, Navy is tied for second place with Lehigh and Bucknell with six points. Boston U. sits alone in first place with nine points.

Brandt won his 297th career game on Wednesday. He has a career record of 297-63-30.

Navy will next play at Colgate on Saturday at 4:00 PM.