PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – David Jackson (So., Cypress, Texas) scored his fourth goal of the season on a penalty-kick try in the 11th minute to give the Navy men's soccer team (10-4-1, 4-3-0 Patriot League) a one-score advantage, but Saint Joseph's (8-8-1, 5-2-0 Atlantic 10) responded with an equalizer in the 48th minute that forced overtime.
The Hawks ultimately netted a game-winning score in the 102nd minute, finding the back of the net off a shot on a well-placed corner kick to secure a 2-1, double-overtime victory over the Midshipmen Tuesday night at Saint Joseph's Sweeney Field.
In addition to the penalty-kick score by Jackson,
Jacob Williams (Sr., Millersville, Md.) paced the Navy attack by placing a match-best four shots. The duo of
Collin Armstrong (Sr., Vestavia, Ala.) and
Charlie Kriel (Fr., Severna Park, Md.) tallied one shot on goal apiece to round out the top performers on offense for the Midshipmen.
Playing the full 101 minutes in net, goalkeeper
Tyler Fahning (Sr., Victoria, Minn.) made four saves and allowed two goals.
"It was a very hard fought game," said head coach
Tim O'Donohue. "The guys did a lot of good stuff, we gave up a goal that we shouldn't have and then it became a bit of a scramble in overtime. We will regroup and get ready for our final two Patriot League games."
Navy got off to a fast start on offense, tallying six shots with two being on goal in the first half, that included Jackson converting on a penalty-kick try at the 10:15 mark to give the Mids a one-score lead.
Saint Joseph's settled in defensively following the score by Jackson, turning away each of the next four shots by the Midshipmen that included stopping two shots on goal. Navy matched the effort of the Hawks defensively, limiting SJU to just two shot attempts in the first half to maintain its one-score advantage heading into the break.
Coming out of the intermission, the Hawks went on the attack before ultimately converting on their first scoring chance of the half at the 47:59 mark as Chris Hunt netted a pass from Omry Perel to tie the score at 1-1.
Saint Joseph's continued to pressure the Navy defense following the score, tallying a 7-2 shot advantage in the second half, but were unable to break through the Midshipmen back line that stifled each of the six shot attempts following the goal, including two saves by Fahning.
The Hawks responded with a similar adjustment to the high-powered Midshipmen attack, holding the Mids to just two shots following the break, neither being on goal, to send the match to overtime.
The defensive stalemate continued through the first overtime period with Saint Joseph's holding Navy without a shot attempt, while the Mids blocked a shot by Hunt at the 93:25 mark to send the contest to a deciding final 10 minutes.
Just over a minute into the second sudden-victory period, Saint Joseph's Aidan Watkins sent a perfectly-placed free kick into the box that was sent home by Blake Driehuis for the game-winning score, securing a 2-1 victory for the Hawks in double overtime.
Saint Joseph's finished with a 13-9 advantage in total shots along with a 6-3 edge in shots on goal, while the Mids tallied a 5-4 lead in corner-kick attempts.
UP NEXT
Navy is set to return to action Saturday as it welcomes Bucknell to the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility for a crucial Patriot League match. The Midshipmen will enter the contest looking to clinch their second league tournament berth in the last three seasons. Opening kick of the match is slated for 4 p.m.
