Navy Stuns 20th-Ranked George Mason in 2 OT
September 19, 2012
Navy Men's Soccer Stuns 20th-Ranked George Mason in Two Overtimes, 2-1
ANNAPOLIS, Md.. -- Dave Arnold scored his first goal of the season in the 108th minute to give the Navy men's soccer team a dramatic 2-1 victory over George Mason on Wednesday night in Fairfax. The win was Navy's second in a row heading into Patriot League play on Saturday against Lafayette in Annapolis.
The win gives Navy a 3-2-1 overall record while knocking George Mason from the list of teams with a perfect record, now 6-1-0 on the year. Entering the game, the Patriots were one of seven undefeated and untied teams nationally, and the third unbeaten and untied team that Navy faced this year (Old Dominion and High Point are still perfect).
The win is also Navy's first over a ranked foe since beating 20th-ranked West Virginia, 1-0, on Oct. 16, 2007.
"This was a super win for us and I felt we deserved it. We had a couple of tough breaks tonight, but the team stayed tight and focused and made some plays when we needed it," said Navy head coach Dave Brandt. "I thought our back four played very well again tonight and after a slow start, our second group that came in really picked us up. Alex's goal really sparked us. It was a great team effort."
Arnold's goal put an end to a dramatic contest that saw wild momentum changes. Navy took a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute when junior Alex Wilson (Phoenix, Ariz.) continued his red-hot play with his third goal of the season. Wilson and sophomore Joseph Greenspan (Westfield, N.J.) executed a perfect give-and-go off a free kick to give Navy the early advantage.
For Wilson, it was his sixth point (2 g, 2 a) in the last two games after a four-point showing against Richmond in a 5-0 win last Saturday night.
George Mason started to pressure late in the second half and finally tied the game at 1-1 in the 81st minute when Laurent Newsome headed in a long throw-in from Brice Colcombe to tie the game at one and seize momentum.
The Patriots then received a huge break in the 88th minute after a questionable Navy handball in the box gave George Mason a penalty kick. However, Gavin Snyder (Jr. / Severna Park, Md.) guessed right and got a hand on the ball, deflecting it off the post to send the game into overtime.
"Gavin had a really good night in goal for us. He was tested, but kept it clean and was very composed back there tonight," said Navy head coach Dave Brandt. "That was a game-saver for us obviously. He had a busy night and came up big."
After both teams had chances in the first overtime, Navy capitalized in the second extra session.
Arnold, a Baltimore, Md., native, took a cross from Greenspan on the left side of the box and slid it across the box into the right corner for the 2-1 Navy victory.
"I'm happy for Dave. He hasn't scored a goal since his freshman year and to get the game-winner tonight is very good to see," said Brandt. "He has been playing well, so it's nice to see him get rewarded."
George Mason outshot Navy, 15-11, including 9-4 in the second half. The Patriots also drew nine corner kicks to Navy's two. Snyder came up big for Navy in goal, stopping five shots, all of them coming after halftime.
Navy returns home to host Lafayette in the Patriot League opener on Saturday night beginning at 8:00 PM at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. The Navy soccer shuttle will leave from the Naval Exchange at 321 Kinkaid Road in Annapolis and fans that bring their VMI football ticket stub to the soccer game will receive free admission.
# GO NAVY #
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