WEST POINT, N.Y. – Junior back Sean Mogan tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Army men’s soccer team to a 2-0 win over Manhattan College on Monday evening at Clinton Field. With the victory, the Black Knights improve to 2-0-0 on the season, while the Jaspers fall to 0-1-0. The win marks the first time Army has started the season 2-0 since 2007, when it began the year with four straight victories.

Senior midfielder Jason Lewis also found the back of the net for Army, and sophomore midfielder Nick Baietti contributed his first career assist. Senior goalie Winston Boldt stopped all four shots he faced to post his second clean sheet of the season.

Freshman goalkeeper Alex Coates McDowall finished with a pair of saves in his college debut for Manhattan.

The Jaspers commanded a 3-1 advantage in shots during the first 15:18 of the first half, until the Black Knights fired off three shots during a 3:22 span, including two that came just eight seconds apart. Army found its way onto the scoreboard in the 23rd minute, when Lewis headed home Mogan’s cross from the right side.

The Jaspers took one additional shot in the opening half’s remaining 22:51, as the Black Knights carried a 1-0 lead into the dressing room. Manhattan opened the second frame with a 4-1 shots advantage, but couldn’t find the equalizer, as Boldt made a pair of saves during a stretch of 4:43. Boldt denied one more attempt on goal before Mogan converted his first marker of the season in the 79th minute, connecting on a cross from Baietti, to put Army in front, 2-0. Mogan nearly found the back of the net for a second time, when he rang a shot off of the crossbar in the 88th minute.

“As a coach, you have to be pleased with the team effort overall,” said Army head coach Russell Payne. “It’s early in the season and the guys are finding a way to be successful. We still have a long way to go, but I like the direction we’re headed right now.”

The Black Knights are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 7, when they face service rival Air Force Academy in their first road match of the season. The non-conference tilt is scheduled for 9 p.m.

Match Notes: Army improves to 24-3-1 all-time versus Manhattan … junior Sean Mogan’s three-point effort ties his career high for a points in a season… sophomore Nick Baietti added his first career assist … junior Winston Boldt recorded his sixth career shutout … the Black Knights improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2007, and for the first time under fourth year head coach Russell Payne.

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