ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Despite responding by controlling play for much of the second half, the Navy men's soccer team (0-2-1) could not rally in Friday night's 2-0 home-opening loss to George Washington (2-1-0) at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.
After two goals for the Revolutionaries in the game's opening 23 minutes, the Midshipmen started to turn the momentum as the first half drew to a close and came out of halftime by outshooting the guests, 4-1, and having several near-chances.
The Revs took the lead three minutes in when a corner kick from Tommaso Lami found Jake Poole in the box for a header into the back of the net. Navy tried to pull even when
Keane Brown at 9' and
Duncan Sullivan at 12' both sent long-range shots on target through traffic but GW's Tom Macauley collected both saves, while the Mids' goalkeeper
Sam Clark picked up his first save of the night in the 17th minute when he stopped Axel Dickson.
GW added to the lead at 23' after Webb Kosich corralled a Navy turnover, as Jaden Dubon caught a pass before crossing it to Joe Brayson for the second Revs goal. Clark kept it from being 2-0 when he tossed aside Kosich's point-blank chance at 24', as Navy was able to push play for the rest of half and generate two off-target shots from
Nick Gallucci and captain
Nate Stewart.
With Clark shutting down Joe Brayson at 50' to set the tone for the second half, Navy pressed for the next 40 minutes. While a
Cohen Nance chance was blocked up close in the 68th minute, Brown had the Mids' best chance of the evening when he one-timed a low rocket just outside the left post at 69'.
Gallucci had his own one-time chance go just left of the cage at 80', but the Revs eventually gained back a prolonged possession edge over the final few minutes to stave off any further chances from the Mids.
Macauley and Clark both ended the match with three shots, while Gallucci's three shots paced all players.
Match Notes
• Navy is now 13-15-5 in the all-time series with GW.
•
Alex Galloway made his season debut for Navy.
Up Next
Navy hosts Presbyterian on Monday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.
