ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Riding a five-game win streak, the Navy men's soccer team (5-0-1) will open its 2021 Patriot League slate Saturday as it travels to take on Boston University (0-4-1). Opening kick of the match is set for 7:30 p.m. from the Terrier's Nickerson Field.
Saturday's contest will have free, live statistics provided on NavySports.com in addition to being broadcasted on ESPN+, which is a subscription-based service that requires patrons to sign-up for a monthly or yearly plan prior to tuning into the game.
LAST TIME OUT
The Midshipmen recorded their fifth-straight victory, extending their unbeaten streak to six games in a 2-0 win over Longwood at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility Tuesday.
Sidney Paris led the way for the Navy offense, tallying a goal and an assist while
Charlie Kriel netted the first score of his career in the 65th minute.
Goalkeeper
Tyler Fahning continued his stellar play in net, compiling his third-consecutive shutout, fourth this season, on five saves to secure the two-goal victory.
SERIES HISTORY
In a series that dates back to the 2013 series, Boston holds a 5-2-0 advantage over the Midshipmen. The two programs have split the last two meetings in the series, with Navy picking up a 2-1 home victory in 2018 prior to falling to the Terriers on the road, 1-0, in 2019.
NAVY PRIMER
Overall Record: 5-0-1
Conference Record: 0-0-0
Home Record: 4-0-0
Away Record: 1-0-1
Neutral Record: 0-0-0
Streak: W5
Head Coach: Tim O'Donohue I 16th Season (198-60-33), Sixth Season at Navy (34-39-10)
SCOUTING THE MIDSHIPMEN
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WIN THE DAY – The Midshipmen are currently riding a five-game win streak, tied for the second-longest active win streak among NCAA Division I men's soccer teams. Only Clemson and New Hampshire have longer active win streaks, having won six games in a row, respectively. Additionally, Navy is one of only 17 unbeaten teams remaining in the nation.
The Midshipmen enter the weekend as the only remaining undefeated team in the Patriot League along with having a league-high .917-win percentage.
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ON THE ATTACK – The Mids continued their torrid pace on offense against Longwood Tuesday, adding two more goals to its tally. Navy is outscoring opponents 10-3 through its first six games while also outshooting them 109-56 (+53). Navy currently ranks seventh in the nation in shots per game average (18.2).
Paris leads the way on offense with six points on two goals and two assists while
David Jackson ranks second on the team with five points on two scores and an assist.
Baba Kallie has four points this season on two goals and
Jacob Williams leads the team in total shots (30) along with shots on goal (10).
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KEEPER COUNT – Fahning added another shutout to his ledger against Longwood, his fourth this season, along with picking up five saves to increase his save percentage to .875 and lowering his GAA to 0.48. The senior goalkeeper has yielded just three goals on the season, including just one in the past five games.
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STIFLING THE OPPOSITION – Equal to the efforts of the Navy offense has been its defense that has recorded four shutouts 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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PATRIOT LEAGUE RANKINGS – Entering the weekend, Navy leads the way by a large margin in total shots, having 109 through six games, 44 more than the next closest team (Army).
Navy is tied for second in the conference in goals (10) and goals per game average (1.67) with Holy Cross. Additionally, the Midshipmen rank third in points (24) and points per game average (4.00). On the defensive end, Navy leads the way in goals allowed (3), goals per game allowed average (0.50), shutouts (4) and corner-kick attempts defended (35).
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NATIONAL STANDING – In addition to its standing in the Patriot League, Navy is also moving up the statistical ranks at the national level. The Midshipmen rank ninth in the nation in win percentage (.917), 12th in shots per game average (18.2), 15th in save percentage (.885) and 17th in goals against average (0.47).
In the individual statistic rankings, Williams sits third in the nation in shots per game average (5.0) while Fahning is tied for first among Division I goalkeepers in shutouts (4) and 27th in saves (21).
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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,
Tim O'Donohue improved his career record as a head coach to 198-60-33, just two wins shy of 200.
BU PRIMER
Overall Record: 0-4-1
Conference Record: 0-0-0
Home Record: 0-2-0
Away Record: 0-2-1
Neutral Record: 0-0-0
Streak: L1
Head Coach: Kevin Nylen I Fifth Season (30-21-11), First Season at Boston University (0-4-1)
SCOUTING THE TERRIERS
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LAST TIME OUT – The Terriers fell to St. John's, 3-2, in overtime last time out. Brian Hernandez paced the Boston attack with two scores, including the game-tying goal to force overtime, but BU ultimately fell short in its comeback effort after the Red Storm converted on a penalty-kick attempt in the 91st minute to secure a one-score victory.
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LEADING THE CHARGE – Hernandez paces the Terrier offense through five games with four points on two goals. Ronaldo Marshall and Quinn Matulis are tied for second on the team with two points on one goal apiece. As a team, BU is averaging 0.80 goals per game along with an average of 9.2 shots per game.
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IN NET – Francesco Montali has started all but one game in net for Boston, yielding nine scores while picking up 17 saves for a .654 save percentage and a 2.25 GAA. Michael Stone earned one start in goal earlier this season against Merrimack, the senior recorded four saves over 110 minutes without allowing a score in a contest that ended in a draw.
UP NEXT
Following its Patriot League opener against BU, Navy will continue its six-game conference slate Saturday, September 25 as it travels to take on Colgate with opening kick set for 4 p.m.
