ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy women's soccer team extended its winning streak to five straight games as the Mids earned a 1-0 shutout victory over Gardner-Webb on Thursday. Playing at home at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility, the Mids (6-1) used an early goal by Victoria Tran (So., Clarksville, Md.) and a stout defensive performance to withstand a physical effort by the Runnin' Bulldogs (0-6-1).
"We played some good soccer today," remarked head coach Carin Gabarra. "We moved the ball well and our possession was good. We changed our point of attack throughout the game and got players forward to create good chances. We did a good job of getting shots on goal as a result of us being more composed in the attacking third. I'm happy with another win. They [Gardner-Webb] are a good team that plays physical. We matched that and defended really well in the midfield."
The matchup between the Mids and Runnin' Bulldogs started out fast as both teams recorded shots on goal during the first 7:40 of the contest. While Sydney Fortson (Sr., Claremont, Calif.) turned aside Gardner-Webb's shot on goal at 5:30, Tran made sure her shot on frame found the back of the net. After the sophomore midfielder received a throw-in from Kristina Dzhandzhapanyan (Jr., Diamond Bar, Calif.) on the right wing, she dribbled towards net before sliding a low shot past Katelyn Kellogg, the Runnin' Bulldogs' goalkeeper, near post at 7:40.
With the score 1-0 in favor of Navy, Gardner-Webb immediately went searching for the game-tying goal and within four minutes, Fortson was off her line and called into action to bat away a high looping corner kick from Stina Kleppe.
Navy's youth was at the forefront of its attack during the remaining 20-plus minutes of the first half as Hannah Miller (So., Mattawan, Mich.), Carolyn Mang (So., Forest Hill, Md.) and Gina Peraino (So., Downingtown, Pa.) all had strong scoring opportunities. Miller was first up as she one-touched a Dzhandzhapanyan cross just wide of net before Mang ripped a low long shot on goal that was saved by Kellogg. Peraino had a pair of shots late in the half, the first which was blocked by a G-W defender and the second which bounced wide of the net.
The first half didn't end without drama as the teams were forced to retreat to their respective locker rooms as lightning strikes were identified within the area with 7:38 left on the clock. After a 36-minute delay the teams reappeared and played out the half with nothing to show on the scoreboard.
At the half, Navy had a 8-2 advantage in total shots with a 4-1 margin in shots on goal.
The Mids continued their quest for an insurance goal throughout the second half, but were stymied by Kellogg in all five of their shots on goal. In the 55th minute, Baseley McClaskey (Sr., Grand Junction, Colo.) tested the sophomore goalkeeper with a strong attempt on goal before Miller went back-to-back in 57th and 60th minutes. The later shot was the product of a McClaskey free kick that found Cadie Higginson (Sr., New Orleans, La.), who flicked it onto Miller at the back post. Unfortunately for the Mids, that creativity would go for naught as Kellogg dove and stopped the shot at the post.
Navy's freshmen duo of Kaitlyn McKeown (Newbury Park, Calif.) and Sadie McCaleb (Loganton, Pa.) recorded the team's final two shots on goal as McKeown found space outside the 18-yard box, dribbled in and squared up for a shot only to have Kellogg charge off her line and make the kick save from close distance in the 68th minute. McCaleb's shot in the 75th minute was similar to Miller's as she was denied at the post by the diving goalkeeper.
Holding just a 1-0 lead, the Mids had to withstand one final push by the Runnin' Bulldogs to knot the game late. Over the final 8:07 of regulation play, Gardner-Webb registered the game's last three shots. In all three situations, the Runnin' Bulldogs were off target in their shots.
In the 1-0 victory, Navy outshot Gardner-Webb, 18-7 with a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Mids' also won the corner kick statistical category with five versus three for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
"Our shots on goal percentage was higher today and that's something we've been working on," said Gabarra. "I'm proud of that because it takes a certain kind of focus and composure in the attacking third, which is the most intense part of the field when you're an attacking player. It's definitely an improvement and something that we've been working on. We hope that some of these shots start falling as the season progresses."
Kellogg finished with eight saves in defeat, while Fortson made two saves in her third shutout of 2019 and 20 clean sheet of her career. Only four goalkeepers in Navy's program history have reached the 20 shutout plateau. Fortson is currently tied in third place with Sarah Wilson (1997-00) and trails Kim Bonafede (2001-04) by two shutouts for second place. Lizzie Barnes (2005-08) is the all-time program leader with 29 clean sheets.
Navy will continue non-conference play on the road on Sunday with a 1 p.m. tilt at La Salle University in Philadelphia.
"I'm happy where we are, but we know there are some areas that we have to improve on before we get to conference play next weekend," remarked Gabarra. "We have to work on managing tight games better. We need to improve our killer instinct so we can put a game away with a second goal or by being smarter in our decisions off the ball late in the game."
