ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy men's soccer team (2-0-0) wraps up its season-opening homestand this coming weekend as it hosts St. Bonaventure (0-1-0) on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and then Saint Peter's (1-0-0) on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.
The Midshipmen come into the weekend after picking up two wins during the opening week. Navy started the 2019 season with a 3-1 win over UNC Asheville followed by a 1-0 win against George Mason on Labor Day. This is Navy's first 2-0-0 start since 2010 and just the fifth time the Midshipmen started the season with two wins since 2000.
To start the season, Navy has had multiple different facets of the game clicking from the start. On defense, the Midshipmen allowed both UNC Asheville and George Mason to record eight shots apiece and just one shot on goal over the first two matches. Navy has also given up just one goal over the first two games of the year.
Once the offensive end, the Midshipmen have had a balanced scoring effort with each of the four goals on the season coming from different players and each of the four goals have been assisted goals. Navy has had a total of seven different players earn a point this season with Bayne Bentley being the only player involved in multiple goals this year with a pair of assists to lead the team and he is one of five players with two points on the season. Matt Nocita -- who was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week -- tallied his first career goal to earn him the honor, while Ethan Singer joined him in tallying his first career goal to open the season. Singer's game-winning goal against UNC Asheville helped him be recognized as an honorable mention weekly award recipient in the league.
St. Bonaventure comes into the weekend following a 5-1 loss on the road against Florida International -- who is now receiving votes in the national poll. The Bonnies were also slated to face Florida Atlantic during their trip to the Sunshine State, but the match was canceled due to the incoming threat of Hurricane Dorian. In the loss to the Panthers, St. Bonaventure's lone goal came from Cuneyt Vardar in the 42nd minute. The Bonnies finished the contest with 11 shots -- four on goal -- and goalkeeper Trevor Wilson racked up six saves in the loss.
Coming into the season, St. Bonaventure was projected to finish 12th in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Bonnies have 17 players back from last season but have to replace seven starters from a year ago. St. Bonaventure also brings 15 new players into the program.
Saint Peter's won its opening contest of the season at St. Joseph's, 2-1. In the victory, the Peacocks rallied from an early deficit with late goals in each half. The first goal from Saint Peter's came against a 10-man St. Joseph's squad after a Hawk red card in the 33rd minute. The game-winning goal from Immanuel Sierck was played with 10 players on each side after a Peacock red card in the 71st minute. Saint Peter's outshot St. Joseph's 18-8 and 14-4 in shots on goal. Robbie Anderson made three saves in goal for the Peacocks to start the season.
In the preseason, Saint Peter's was selected to finish seventh in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). The Peacocks have 11 newcomers to their 2019 squad to go along with 16 players coming back from their 2018 team that made an appearance in the MAAC Tournament.
Before taking on Navy on Sunday, Saint Peter's will take on UMBC in Baltimore on Friday night. St. Bonaventure will then face UMBC on Sunday.
In Navy's program history, the Midshipmen have only faced St. Bonaventure once, where the Midshipmen earned a 3-2 win in Annapolis over the Bonnies during the 1999 season. Sunday's matchup is set to be the first all-time meeting between Navy and Saint Peter's.
Parking / Shuttle / Ticket Information
Fans are reminded that the general public does not have access to drive their vehicles on to the U.S. Naval Academy. Fans may park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for $5 and take a shuttle that will run every 10 minutes starting one hour before the game and will continue running until one hour after the game is completed. Fans 18 and over need a government-issued photo ID. Enter Gate 5 off Taylor Ave. to park at the stadium. Dogs are not permitted inside the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. All soccer contests at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility will be free of charge.
Kickoff on Friday night is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. Navy's four-match homestand to open the 2019 season concludes on Sunday night at 7 p.m.
