EASTON, Pa. – Jacob Williams (Fr., Millersville, Md.) scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season to pace the Navy men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory at Lafayette on Wednesday night at Oaks Stadium.
 
The Midshipmen (3-11-1, 2-5-0 Patriot League) scored twice in the second half to secure their first road win of the season against the Leopards (5-7-3, 1-4-2 PL).
 
"I am really happy and proud of this group," head coach Tim O'Donohue stated. "We played well and defended their set pieces well. Jacob had two class finishes tonight to help us offensively. Now we have to get ready for Colgate."
 
Navy controlled possession early in the match with a 5-1 advantage in shots during the first 21 minutes of play. Lafayette recorded the first shot of the contest, but the Midshipmen fired off the next five shots.
 
In the ninth minute, Navy was awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area following a foul from the Leopards. Toni Adewole (So., Clarksburg, Md.) struck the free kick, but his shot hammered the crossbar and ricocheted back into the field of play. Lafayette corralled the loose ball and extinguished any additional scoring chances for the Midshipmen.
 
Navy had another high-quality scoring chance in the 21st minute of play. Williams stole the ball from Lafayette and raced toward the right post. Just before entering the six-yard box, he centered the ball to Bayne Bentley (Fr., Austin Texas). Bentley shot the ball with his first touch, but his attempt was blocked by the Leopard defense.
 
Lafayette's best opportunity to break the draw came in the 25th minute, but Martin Ssessanga's header looped just over the crossbar and out of play for a Navy goal kick. 
 
In the first half, the Midshipmen outshot the Leopards 6-3 and Williams had the lone shot on goal in the first 45 minutes. His shot on goal came in the 30th minute and rolled into the arms of Alex Sutton in goal for Lafayette.
 
Navy tried to break the ice near the hour mark, but a long run from Williams was canceled out by the Leopards and Millard's shot attempt went wide. Nearly five minutes later, the Midshipmen had another scoring chance off a long throw-in from Adewole. However, Andrew Hopkins' (Jr., Garrison, Md.) header went right to Sutton.
 
Lafayette looked to score off a corner kick, but a header whistled just past the crossbar and the match remained scoreless. The contest remained in the balance with both teams generating scoring chances. Williams had another chance in the 75th minute with a one-on-one chance against Sutton, but a diving Sutton made the stop and the Lafayette defense cleared the ball away from the center of the penalty area to keep Navy off the board.
 
Williams finally cashed in with 11:43 left in the match and broke the scoreless affair with his sixth goal of the season.  Williams picked up a bouncing ball at the top of the 18-yard box and he rifled a shot between the Leopard defense and just past the outstretched arms of Sutton to give Navy a 1-0 lead.
 
The Midshipmen added an insurance goal with 29 seconds left in the match as Williams toed the end line and scored his second goal of the night to seal a 2-0 victory for Navy.
 
With the victory and results throughout the Patriot League on Wednesday, the Midshipmen leap up two spots to eighth in the league standings with six points. Bucknell and Boston University are tied for fifth with 10 points apiece – both teams face off on Saturday in Boston. Navy sits three points behind Army for seventh in the standings and is four points out of sixth place, which is the final transfer spot into the Patriot League Tournament. 
 
Following his first career two-goal performance on Wednesday night, Williams now ranks third in the Patriot League with seven goals and fourth with 14 points.
 
Next up, the Midshipmen host Colgate on Sunday at noon from the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility for Senior Day. The Raiders are currently third in the Patriot League with 14 points.