ANNAPOLIS, Md. – With both sides scoring in the game's final 20 minutes, the Navy men's soccer team (2-4-3) and visiting non-conference foe UC San Diego (1-4-4) played to a 1-1 draw Tuesday night at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis, Md.
 
Facing a sense of urgency after the Tritons' Carter Jacobus buried a penalty kick in the 71st minute, constant offensive pressure from the Midshipmen finally broke through at 86' when junior Tommy Lockhart line-drived a highlight-reel shot into the top-right corner to salvage the night for Navy.
 
With the Mids and Tritons gauging each other early, the first shot of the contest did not come until the 14th minute from UC San Diego's Andrew McGee, while the first legitimate scoring chance of the evening came at 21' when junior Andrew Schug raced to the left side of the net and touched a tough-angle shot that nearly snuck inside the right post. Another prime opportunity came in the 25th minute for junior A.J. Schuetz but Nolan Premack dove to stop the shot, while the Tritons had their own chance at 36' when Connor Place redirected a shot on net that senior goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook easily swallowed up.
 
The two sides continued to trade possession in the second half and try to generate offense, as Max Carvalho had two shots go off-target while a 65th-minute shot from Schuetz was once again denied by Premack. A foul by a Navy defender in the box at 71' set up Jacobus' penalty kick, who rifled a shot to the right post that beat an outstretched Holbrook.
 
A flurried effort by the Mids followed as Schug was stuffed by Premack at 72' in front and then missed a shot high a minute later, while senior Noah Ward was stopped by Premack in the 75th minute. Holbrook then kept Navy in the contest when he punched a shot from Jacobus over the net at 77', while another Schug chance went wide at 79'. Navy got its break in the 86th minute when freshman Keane Brown intercepted a clearance attempt and batted the ball towards Lockhart, who corralled it and fired a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out that beat the diving Premack to the top-right corner.
 
Each side got two more chances in the final four minutes, including Cole Barrett being stonewalled by Holbrook in the box at 89', but the Mids and Tritons saw the clock run out with the score still sitting 1-1.
 
Holbrook wrapped up the game with three saves, while Premack countered with four saves of his own in a contest that saw the Mids have the slight 13-11 shots advantage.
 
Head Coach Tim O'Donohue Comments
"We played well tonight against a quality opponent from out west, and it was preparation for the last seven Patriot League games of the season. We were better with possession and we're making big improvements across the board. We will be ready for Saturday when Colgate comes to town."
 
Match Notes
• Tuesday marked the first all-time meeting between Navy and UC San Diego.
• Holbrook has recorded multiple saves in every game this season.
• Lockhart's two goals are tied for fifth in the Patriot League.
 
Up Next
Navy will welcome Patriot League foe Colgate to Annapolis for a 3 p.m. contest on Saturday, Sept. 28.