Shannon's Goal Holds Up; Men's Soccer Remains Undefeated in PL with 1-0 Win Over Navy

Oct. 13, 2007

Box Score

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - First it was the youth, then it was the experience. The American University men's soccer team got a 71st-minute goal from freshman Daniel Shannon and then Shannon handed it off to senior goalkeeper Chris Sedlak, who made three game-saving stops in the last 19 minutes, to remain undefeated in Patriot League play with a 1-0 victory over Navy Saturday at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.

After both teams played a scoreless 70 minutes, Shannon received a pass from classmate Nick Kapus, dribbled to the middle of the field and then put a left-footed blast into the top left corner of the net. It was Shannon's team-leading third goal of the season and his third game-winner. The assist was Kapus' first career point.

Sedlak then took over. In the 74th minute, Midshipmen Anthony Parker and Adam Pennington registered scoring chances just seconds apart, but Sedlak was up to the challenge both times. After a shot by Navy's Will Riordan in the 89th minute was blocked before it reached the goalmouth, Riordan got his own rebound and fired another shot that was saved by Sedlak. AU's fourth-year netminder made eight saves, a season-high, to register his fourth shutout of the season and the 13th of his career.

The Mids and the Eagles battled to a scoreless tie through the first half in a physical contest in which 25 combined opening period fouls were called. All told, AU finished the game with 25 total fouls and three yellow cards, while Navy racked up 13 total fouls.

Despite the lack of scoring, the first half was not without excitement. In the 41st minute, Navy's Justin Waskey was awarded a penalty kick after being taken down on a rebound. However, Sedlak thwarted his penalty kick attempt, sending it wide with a deflection off his outstretched hands.

Freshman Daniel Shannon registered his third game-winner of the season in a 1-0 conquest of Navy on Saturday.

Shannon and Sedlak both had great nights for the Eagles. He registered three of AU's seven shots on goal and added to his team-leading points tally. Meanwhile, Sedlak improved his save percentage on the season to .737 and lowered his goals against average to 1.5.

American improves to 2-0-1 in Patriot League play and 5-6-2 overall. Navy falls to 0-3-0 in the PL and 5-4-2 overall. After tonight's action, American and Bucknell are tied for first place in the PL with seven points. Lafayette and Colgate, both of which have four points, face off tomorrow

The Eagles return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m., when they visit neighborhood rivals Georgetown University in AU's final non-conference game of the season.

With men's soccer's PL win, and the wins by the Eagles' field hockey, women's soccer and volleyball teams earlier today, each of AU's fall teams remain undefeated in Patriot League play. Women's soccer will look to uphold that streak when they play tomorrow at Lafayette.