Box Score American University men's soccer made the long trip north to West Point, N.Y., on Saturday night, battling Army into overtime, but came up short as the Black Knights tallied the game-winner four minutes into the first extra time period.
After a scoreless first half, a penalty kick score put American up 1-0, but the Army defense kept the Black Knights in the match until a late tally in the 76th minute evened the score.
The Eagles continued to press to find the go-ahead goal again in regulation as AU outshot USMA 19-14, 8-5 on goal, but the Black Knights defense kept American off the scoreboard into extra time
"I am disappointed in the result, but could not be more proud of the performance the team put on tonight," said head coach Todd West. "Army is a very good, very physical team. We outshot them, but their goalkeeper kept them in it tonight. We will continue to work hard to have a chance to play Army in the Pariot League Tournament later this year."
An extremely tough matchup, Army totaled 16 fouls in the contest while American registered eight of its own.
Corners abounded throughout as the two squads combined for 17 total, with AU registering nine.
American took the lead in the 53rd minute as a foul in the Army box led to senior captain Cristobal Soto lining up for his third penalty kick of the year. Soto made the most of his chance, drilling it home for his third score of the season, improving to 3-of-3 on P.K.'s this year.
Army found the equalizer in the 76th however as the game seemed to repeat itself with the Black Knights getting a penalty kick which they converted.
With only three minutes remaining in regular time, the Eagles got three corners and three shots, but could not close it out in regulation.
It would be the last offensive press that AU would garner as Army controlled in OT and after a corner, the Black Knights found the game-winner 4:28 into the first extra time frame.
American will look to rebound with a nonconference bout with West Virginia, at home at Reeves Field on Tuesday, October 22, at 3 p.m.
