Nov. 2, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy men's soccer team will travel to Lafayette for its final road game of the year, facing off against the Leopards on Saturday night, beginning at 7:00 pm in Easton, Pa. The Mids need a win or a tie in either of their next two games to finish at least .500 for the year. Navy is 7-6-2 overall and 0-5-0 in the Patriot League. Lafayette, meanwhile, is 7-3-5 overall and 2-1-2 in the Patriot League, good for fourth place with eight points. The Leopards are in a tight battle for the fourth and final Patriot League Tournament spot.

Navy has alternated wins and losses in its last five games, with the losses coming unfortunately in Patriot League games. The Mids posted a non-conference record of 7-1-2, but haven't found success in league play, dropping all five previous games while being outscored 11-1. Navy is coming off a tough 1-0 setback at league leader Colgate last Saturday, in which the Raiders scored midway through the second half for the game-winner. Navy is hoping to play the role of spoiler on the road, where it owns a 4-2-0 mark this season.

The Mids are paced by Adam Pennington (Tampa, Fla.) and Doug DeVuono (Racine, Wis.), each with four goals and eight points. Sophomore Mark Garcia (Tempe, Ariz.) has added seven points on one goal and five assists, ranking tied for first in the Patriot League in assists. Sophomores Andrew Garcia (Garland, Texas) and Chris Schneider (Arlington, Texas) have six points on the season. Both Pennington and Andrew Garcia are out for the year with varying injuries.

On the defensive end, Evan Barnes (Dublin, Ohio) and Thomas Jenkins (Franklin, N.C.) have split time in goal. Barnes has played 754 minutes with a 4-3-1 record, a 1.19 GAA and a .744 save percentage. Jenkins has played 616 minutes for a 1.02 GAA and a .788 save percentage.

Lafayette has outscored its foes, 16-9, on the season, but are coming off a 1-0 setback to No. 20-ranked West Virginia on Tuesday night. The Mids defeated West Virginia, 1-0, on Oct. 16. Scott Hawkins paces Lafayette with 11 points (5 g, 1 a), while B.J. Glenn has added nine points (4 g, 1 a). The duo has combined for nine of the Leopards' 16 goals. In goal, Philip Nelson has seen the majority of time, registering a stellar 0.56 GAA and an .870 save percentage, ranking tops in the Patriot League in both categories. The numbers also rank eighth and seventh, respectively, in the country.

Navy owns a 16-12-3 all-time record against Lafayette, including a 5-3-0 mark in Easton. The Leopards, however, are 4-0-1 in the last five games against Navy, and have held the Mids to just one goal in the last four games. Navy's last win in the series came in 2001, a 1-0 victory in Easton.

Navy will conclude its regular season next Saturday, Nov. 10, by hosting Army in the annual Star Match at 7:00 pm. The first 150 fans will receive white Navy Soccer t-shirts and all fans are encouraged to wear white. For ticket information, call 1-800-US4-NAVY.

# GO NAVY #