ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Adam Rosen's goal in the 77th minute provided American with the margin it needed as it defeated Navy, 1-0, here on Wednesday evening. The game was American's first-ever in the Patriot League.

A hard-fought battle throughout, American controlled much of the early action. The Eagles led in shots, 4-1, through 25 minutes of play, and took four corners in the opening stanza.

Kris Bertsch had the game's best scoring opportunity in the first half, when he attempted a volley in the goal mouth, but the touch went just wide of the right post.

The teams remained deadlocked until the 77th minute, with neither making a serious threat in the period. Coming off a restart, American's Jonathon Colton sent a strike goalward from 25-yards out which caromed off Navyh keeper Brian Steckroth. The rebound went to a waiting Rosen, who put home his second goal of the year from the doorstep.

Navy made a late push, but the Eagles held firm in the defensive third of the field over the final 13 minutes.

Michael Behonick and the American defense earned their third shutout of the season. Steckroth, the Patriot League's Defensive Player of the Week from Sept. 22, made four saves for the Midshipmen.

American returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 29, when it hosts Lafayette in a Patriot League match at 2:00 p.m. at Reeves Field.