Navy men’s soccer falls to Colgate 1-0
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Via Naval Academy) – The visiting Colgate Raiders (7-6-2, 4-2-0 PL) defeated Navy (7-6-1, 3-2-0 PL), 1-0, in men’s soccer on Saturday evening at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. Ethan Kutler scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute.
Kutler finished a feed from Jared Stroud for the game’s only tally. He took the pass while breaking through the Navy backline and shot to the far right post from 15 yards out.
It was Kutler’s team-best seventh goal of the season.
Navy got off to a good start in the game, outshooting the Raiders 7-3 in the first half.
Senior Thomas Shiiba nearly scored a back-heeled shot in the 55th minute following a Navy corner kick, but Colgate goalkeeper Ricky Brown stopped the opportunity.
Colgate’s Colin O’Neill had two scoring chances in the 64th minute. His initial shot was saved by Navy goalkeeper Jackson Morgan and then he nearly knocked in the rebound but Navy freshman defender Ericson Bean cleared it off the backline.
After Kutler scored in the 68th minute, Navy nearly evened the game nine minutes later during a scramble in the Colgate box. But Navy couldn’t get a good touch on the ball and then junior Sam Bascom’s shot went just high over the goal.
Three minutes later Bascom floated a serve towards the back post and the ball nearly found its way into the net as it skimmed off the cross bar.
Navy senior Michael Parker sent a free kick towards goal in the 84th minute, which was headed on by senior Derek Vogel to Shiiba, but his shot went just high.
“We weren’t consistent enough and we didn’t get the goal,” said head coach Dave Brandt. “We are struggling to get into rhythm and we are pressing. We are grinding for goals right now.”
Navy outshot Colgate 18-11 in the contest, while Colgate held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.
Bascom had a game-high five shots.
Brown made four saves for Colgate for his fourth shutout of the season. Morgan also made four saves for Navy.
With the win, Colgate takes a slim 12-11-5 edge in the all-time series and earns its first win against Navy since 2012.
Navy will next play at American on Wednesday at 3:00 PM. The Mids have four games remaining in Patriot League play.
