Box Score It was a battle of the final two Patriot League unbeatens at Reeves Field on Tuesday afternoon as American University women's soccer hosted the United States Naval Academy. Despite some superb defense against the Midshipmen, a second half goal was the difference as the Eagles fell, 1-0.
Junior Charlene Belanger, this week's Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week, showed why she earned the honor, stopping 11 shots, but a scoring strike set up by Navy (11-2-0, 4-0-0) in the 54th minute proved to be the game-winner.
"We started a little slow, but really started to execute well down the stretch, showing we could play with one of the top team's in this league," said head coach Anabel Jimenez Hering. "We can take a lot of positives into our next game at Army and hopefully get back on the winning track."
American (5-8-0, 3-1-0) played Navy, which is now on a nine-game win streak, to a scoreless first, putting three shots on goal to the Mids' five. Thanks to Belanger's play in net and the back line centered by junior Kirsten Eriksen, the Eagles were able to hold Navy off the scoreboard into the second.
The game-winning score came in the 54th minute however, when Paloma Perez found Morgan Dankanich for her Patriot League-leading ninth goal of the season.
The Eagles pressed the action late, with several chances at the game-tying goal, but reigning Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, Elizabeth Hoerner and Defensive Player of the Year Jade Seabrook were able to keep AU off the board.
American put forth a diverse offensive attack throughout with six different Eagles putting shots on goal.
It was a physical, conference matchup as well with total of 16 fouls being accrued; AU with nine.
After three-straight Patriot League shutouts prior to today's firs-place showdown, American will look to get back in the win column with a road match at Army on Saturday, October 12, at 1 p.m.
