ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Early chances and a late push could not materialize into a goal for the Navy men's soccer team in its 2024 season opener, as the Midshipmen (0-1-0) fell to George Mason (1-0-0) by a 2-0 score Thursday night at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.
 
Despite a four-save effort from senior goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook, the Midshipmen could not capitalize on offense to keep up with the Patriots' attack, with nine of the Mids' 10 shots missing the mark or being blocked.
 
The two sides traded some early shots, with junior A.J. Schuetz almost capitalizing on a long-range shot that sailed wide after catching George Mason goalkeeper Jaume Salvado out of position, while Holbrook made a pair of diving saves in the 13th and 18th minutes to keep the game even.
 
Controlling play for a 10-minute stretch, the Patriots finally put one past Holbrook at 21' as Javier Montava's pass to Luis Maestre near the sideline led to a Maestre cross into the box, where Henry Wachsman was able to head it home for the game's first tally. George Mason then limited the Mids' pushback, clearing away two Navy corner kicks and blocking freshman Duncan Sullivan's shot, and then forced another stop from Holbrook in the 38th minute off an Asparuh Slavov attempt.
 
A chippy open to the second half saw the Patriots add to their lead in the 53rd minute when Jordi Sanchez crossed a ball to James Eliuda, who touched a shot into the net and extended the margin to 2-0. Trying to make it 3-0, George Mason's Quentin Clain then launched a shot on net at 55' that Holbrook leapt up to catch. After having a few chances go wide or get blocked, Navy sought to finally strike back in the 82nd minute when senior captain Charlie Kriel was fed a pass and put a tough-angle shot on Salvado, but the Patriots' backstop made the save to preserve the clean sheet.
 
With George Mason finishing with the edge in shots, 15-10, and shots of goal, 6-1, Salvado picked up his first shutout of the campaign with his one save while Holbrook made four saves in the losing effort.
 
Coach Tim O'Donohue Comments
"It was tough to lose the first game of the year, but there were a lot of good takeaways for the rest of the season. We stepped up to try and answer their first tally, but unfortunately, they punished us their second goal. I am very optimistic with this group and it'll be a long season with a lot of great moments ahead."
 
Match Notes
• Navy is now 4-9-3 in the all-time series with George Mason.
• Thursday's loss snapped a five-game winning streak by the Mids in home openers.
• Sullivan and fellow freshmen Keane Brown and Wyatt Stevens made their collegiate debuts, with Brown and Stevens earning starting nods.
 
Up Next
Navy will play at Stonehill on Sunday, with the match set for noon in Easton, Mass.