WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - After a deadlocked 80 minutes of play that included excellent goalkeeping from Matthew Tibbets, William and Mary broke through AU's defense to take a 1-0 lead late. The Tribe held on for the final 10 minutes, and the Eagles suffered their first loss in nearly month. 

Notable

• Tonight's defeat snaps a four-match winning streak for the Eagles, who move to 4-4-1 on the season. 
• Tibbetts worked hard to keep his team in the match, making four saves. The senior keeper has allowed just two goals in the last four starts.
• Troy Elgersma and Mustapha Sowe both had two shots to lead AU offensively, putting one on goal each. 
• American generated six corners to four for William and Mary. The Eagles also committed just four fouls, while The Tribe was whistled for 12. 

How it Happened

• AU had the first scoring chance of the game, as Sebastian Garces nearly gave the Eagles the lead in the opening minute. He received the ball from Toshi Davis just outside the six-yard box and took a shot that was saved by Ryan Eapen at the doorstep. He got his foot to the rebound, but the second attempt was blocked.
• The Tribe started to open their attacking play in the 26th minute, forcing to Tibbetts made three of his four saves all in the same sequence in the 26th minute. After AU's keeper made an initial stop on a shot from Sam Delgado, he sprawled to deny a rebound chance from Webb Kosich, then dove to the top left corner to deflect a well-placed shot from Diogo Branco. 
• Neither team found another threatening chance in the half, going to the locker room tied 0-0. 
• The Eagles started off the second half on the front foot, with Taku Takahashi nearly connecting with Mustapha Sowe in the opening minutes. He delivered a quality cross into the box that bounced just over the foot of the graduate senior striker. 
• William and Mary upped its attacking effort from that point forward, taking the game's next six shots before finally finding the back of the net. 
• The game-winner came in the 82^nd minute for the home side. Branco squared a sharp cross into the box that found Devin Cooper, who leveled his header to the bottom right corner. Tibbetts got his hands to it, but couldn't corral the shot as it fell across the line.  

Up Next

• The Eagles stay on the road to return to Patriot League play this Saturday, Oct. 4 at Lafayette. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.

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).