WASHINGTON - After falling down a goal in the first half, the American University men's soccer team flew past Navy with a three-goal second half to win the match 3-1. Troy Elgersma, Toshi Davis, and Taku Takahashi found the back of the net, while Sebastian Garces and Chris Sullivan picked up assists. With the victory, the Eagles improve to 7-1-1 and capture the Patriot League regular season title for the first time since 2016.

Notable

• AU will be the number one seed in the Patriot League Tournament, earning a bye and an automatic spot in the semifinal round on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Kickoff time at Reeves Field will be announced in the coming days.
• Elgersma scored his fourth goal of the season, and Davis and Takahashi both netted their second. Garces tallied his team-leading fifth assist, while Sullivan contributed his third.
• The Eagles were excellent in the attacking third, generating eight corner kicks and putting five shots on goal. 
• Matthew Tibbetts made two saves in the match. 
• American finishes the regular season undefeated at Reeves Field, where the Eagles will play throughout the Patriot League Tournament. 
• The regular season title is the first under head coach Zach Samol, who has taken AU to the PL Tournament in all but one of his now eight seasons.

How it Happened 

• Navy got on the board with 15 minutes remaining in the first half, when Nick Gallucci blasted a shot from 10-plus yards beyond the box into the top right corner of the net. 
• AU responded with better creating in the attacking third, creating two looks on goal for Reyes Parra before the end of the half. 
• Still building their attack in the opening minutes of the second half, it did not take long for the Eagles to equalize. In the 53rd minute, Davis worked his way to the top of the box and got the ball to Parra in traffic. Off a Navy deflection, the ball fell to Elgersma, who slotted his shot perfectly to the bottom right corner through multiple defenders. 
• Now tied 1-1, American pursued the lead and found it in the 71st minute. About 20 minutes after Parra rang a shot off the post, Davis delivered a showstopping strike. 
• The senior midfielder beat two defenders while working his way into space in the attacking third, then drove a right-footed shot into the top left corner of the net. 
• Out and front and continuing to play at a high pace, the Eagles found one more goal in the 82nd minute. Patryk Rojek and Sullivan connected up the right flank, then Sullivan led a ball up ahead to Sebastian Garces. He played the ball across the box to an open Takahashi, who finished on the bottom left side. 
• With a two-goal lead late, American defended comfortably the rest of the way and took the 3-1 win. 

Keep up With Us

• For the latest on American University men's soccer and to receive in-game updates, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (@AU_MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).