FAIRFAX, Va. - The 20th-ranked George Mason men's
soccer team eliminated a halftime deficit and had an opportunity to win the
match in the 88th minute on a penalty kick, but a goal in the 108th
minute led Navy past the Patriots, 2-1, on Wednesday evening at George Mason
Stadium.
The loss was Mason's first of the season, as it dropped to
6-1 overall. The Midshipmen improved to 3-2-1 overall.
"Credit Navy for their determined effort," said Mason Head
Coach Greg Andrulis. "Our inability to finish some good chances came back to
haunt us."
Mason found itself trailing going into the intermission for
the first time this season, as Navy scored in the 31st minute to
take a 1-0 lead. Junior Alex Wilson netted his third goal of the season on a
give-and-go off of a free kick from sophomore Joseph Greenspan to take the
lead.
Navy again threatened two minutes later, but Grant
Valenstein's breakaway attempt was broken up and the score remained at 1-0
going into the break. Mason had a commanding 5-0 lead in corner kicks, but Navy
held a slim 5-4 margin in shots.
The Mason offense came alive late in the second half, as it
was able to put shots on goal after not seeing one in the opening 45 minutes. Seven
minutes into the second stanza freshman Ghiles Harmouche put a hard shot in net
that was collected by Navy keeper Gavin Snyder. Harmouche looked to dent the
scoreboard in the 65th minute but just missed a tap-in opportunity
off of a cross from sophomore Timi Mulgrew.
After several more scoring opportunities fell short, the
Patriots tied the match in the 81st minute, as freshman Brice
Colcombe took a throw-in from deep in Navy territory down the left line,
finding the head of Laurent Newsome on the right post who directed the ball to
the left corner to knot the score at 1-1. It was Newsome's first career goal in
three seasons at Mason.
A thrilling finish to the match developed with just over two
minutes remaining in regulation, as Mason had an opportunity to secure the game.
Navy defender Zach Davis was called for a handball in the box with 2:25 showing
on the clock. With the infraction the Patriots were awarded a penalty kick, but
junior Julio Arjona's kick to the left post was knocked away by Snyder, which
left the scoreboard at 1-1 and sent the match to extra minutes.
"When you have a penalty kick with two minutes to go ahead
at home you feel good about your chances," said Andrulis. "The Navy keeper came
up big with a clutch play at a critical time."
The Mason offense continued its fast pace in the first
overtime, including a shot from Colcombe that sailed high in the 96th
minute. However, it was Navy that came up big in the second OT session, as
Arnold netted his first goal of the season off a helper from Greenspan, his
second of the match, to give Navy the 2-1 nonconference win.
For the match, Mason held a 15-11 advantage in shots,
including 11-6 in the second half and OT, and a 9-2 edge in corner kicks. Dustin
Butcher took his first loss of the season, allowing two goals and stopping six
shots. Snyder finished with five saves for Navy.
The Patriots open the CAA season on Saturday, playing host
to UNC Wilmington at 7:00 p.m.
