Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova men's soccer team (2-2-0) posted a 2-1 win over visiting Navy (1-2-1) on Thursday in a non-conference match at the Higgins Soccer Complex. The game was played in such extreme heat that a hydration break was needed in the second half.

Villanova has now won back-to-back games as the Wildcats were coming off a 2-1 win over then-No. 11 Boston College last weekend.

Navy played well in the first half and out-possessed Villanova, but gave up an unfortunate goal eight minutes into the contest. The Wildcats would add another goal shortly after halftime to stake a 2-0 lead.

Sophomore Daniel Kwon scored his second goal of the season for Navy in the 83rd minute to cut the margin to 2-1, but the Mids would not be able to come all the way back from their 2-0 deficit.

"Villanova is a good opponent for us and they will be a good team going forward this season," said Navy head coach Tim O'Donohue. "We played extremely well in the first half so it was very disappointing to give up a goal on their first shot of the game. We fought really hard at the end but we couldn't get the equalizer."

Kwon's goal was set up by sophomore Elijah Kilmer, who sent in a cross from the right side. Junior Daniel Zaremba headed the ball forward and then Kwon headed the ball over Villanova goalkeeper Will Steiner and into the top right side of the net.

Navy continued to press in the final minutes and junior Aubrey Jones had a potential game-tying shot go just wide in the 87th minute. Freshman Diego Manrique served a free kick into the box with seven seconds left in the game, but Steiner broke it up before Navy could force overtime. Manrique is the reigning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week.

Villanova's first goal came at the 7:26 mark when John Jiopleh netted his first goal of the season. Zach Zandi took the ball into the left side of the box and sent a cross to the center of the goal where Jiopleh cut in from the right side and finished in front of the net.

Villanova added its second goal just two minutes into the second half on a give-and-go play from Lucas Hodges and Padraic McCullaugh. Hodges started a run down the right side and played the ball to McCullaugh, who fed it right back to Hodges, who finished to the left side from eight yards.

Navy goalkeeper Mac Burke made seven saves in the contest, while Steiner stopped two shots. Burke made an athletic save in the 58th minute to push a ball over the crossbar.

"I was happy with how we played, but disappointed we didn't get the result," said O'Donohue. "We have some positives that we can take away from this game, but we really need to hone in on defending in the box."

Navy will next play at George Washington (1-1-2) on Sunday at 2 PM.