ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Charlie Kriel (Fr., Severna Park, Md.) and
Sidney Paris (So., Oakville, Ontario) each tallied a score and
Tyler Fahning (Sr., Victoria, Minn.) recorded his third-consecutive shutout to lead the Navy men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Longwood Tuesday night at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.
With the win, Navy improves to 5-0-1, marking the 17th time in program history that it has gone unbeaten through at least six games to begin a season. Longwood falls to a 1-3-1 mark on the season with the loss.
The Mids were led on offense by Paris who tallied two shots, both being on goal, along with his second score of the season and an assist. The sophomore forward now has a team-high six points on two goals and two assists.
"It took us a half to get going, but we played a better second half and now we get ready for Saturday at Boston University," said head coach
Tim O'Donohue. "I thought we were resilient and played better as the game went on."
The contest began as a defensive battle, with the Midshipmen backline leading the charge by turning away the first seven Lancer shots in the first half, including three saves by Fahning. The Longwood defense was equally as stout, fending off four shots from the Navy attack resulting in a scoreless game at halftime.
The Mids' offense came out firing following the break, recording seven of the first eight shots in the second half before ultimately converting in the 65th minute when Kriel netted the first goal of his collegiate career on a feed from a Paris corner-kick attempt, giving the Midshipmen a one-score advantage.
Navy continued to dictate the pace on offense following the score, tallying two more shots before being awarded a free kick just five yards outside the box. Paris took the attempt and promptly buried a shot into the top, right-hand corner of the goal to extend the Midshipmen lead to 2-0 at the 74:11 mark.
The score by Paris proved to be the game-clinching score, as the Midshipmen defense played a stout second half, including defending five shots from the Longwood attack, two being on goal, in the final eight minutes of regulation to secure the 2-0 win for Navy and its fifth-straight victory.
The aforementioned Fahning finished the contest with five saves en route to his fourth shutout effort of the season. The senior goalkeeper joins former teammate
Ian Bramblett (Easley, S.C.), who accomplished the feat in 2019, as the only Navy backstop to have four or more shutouts through the first six games of a season in the last 10 years.
The Mids held a narrow advantage over Longwood in total shots (15-13) and shots on goal (7-6) while the Lancers led the way in corner-kick attempts (12-5).
Leif VanSlyke paced the Longwood attack with two shots, both being on goal, while goalkeeper Jacob Reimers yielded two scores and recorded five saves before being relieved by Lucas Muller in the 78th minute.
Navy will return to action as it is set to open Patriot League play Saturday, September 18 with a road contest against Boston University. Opening kick of the match is set for 7:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES
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CONTROLLING THE PACE – The Navy offense continued its torrid pace to open the 2021 season adding two more goals to its tally on Tuesday. The Mids are now outscoring opponents 10-3 through six games while also outshooting them 109-56 (+53).
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STIFLING THE OPPOSITION – Not to be overlooked is the effort of the Navy backline that now has four shutouts to its credit through six games. Since surrendering two goals to UMBC in the season-opener, the Mids have allowed just one score while defending 23 shots on goal.
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MIDS REMAIN UNBEATEN – After improving to 5-0-1 with the win over Longwood, Navy has gone unbeaten through six games for the second time in the last three seasons.
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HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS – In home games this season, the Midshipmen are a perfect 4-0-0 and have an 8-1 scoring edge over their opponents. Under the direction of O'Donohue (since 2016) Navy is 23-15-5 in home games.
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MILESTONE VICTORIES AHEAD – Following its victory over Longwood, Navy's all-time record stands at 699-439-154, just one win shy of reaching 700 victories in the history of the program. The Midshipmen would become just the 15th NCAA Division I men's soccer team to reach the 700-win landmark. Additionally, O'Donohue improved his career record as a head coach to 198-60-33, just two wins shy of 200.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: Navy 1, Longwood 0;
Charlie Kriel '65 (Paris)
GOAL: Navy 2, Longwood 0;
Sidney Paris '75 (Unassisted)
