George Washington University

Sept. 16, 2008

Final Stats

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Junior forward Andy Stadler's Atlantic 10-leading fifth goal of the season proved to be enough as the George Washington men's soccer team snapped a two-match losing skid with a 1-0 victory at Navy Tuesday night. The Colonials' defense limited the Midshipmen to just one shot on goal to earn its second shutout of the season.

GW (2-2-1), playing its first of six consecutive road matches, also snapped a five-match road losing skid with the victory. The victory also ended Navy's (3-2-1) three-match winning streak. The Midshipmen entered the match ranked 10th in the NSCAA Middle Atlantic regional rankings.

After a scoreless first half, GW broke through in the 54th minute on Stadler's half-volley blast from 20-yards out. Junior Byron Walker picked out freshman Ryan Ruffing with a cross and Ruffing's flick-on header found Stadler open on the right side. Stadler, who has scored at least one point in each of GW's five matches this season, settled the ball and fired off the bounce to the left corner.

The Colonials nearly took a two-goal cushion in the 67th minute on a 15-yard strike from Ruffing that struck both the crossbar and left post before falling harmlessly into the box.

Redshirt junior goalkeeper Matt Scheer and the Colonials' defense, which featured two freshman starters in Mike Burke and Jake Davis, kept the Mids at bay with just two shots in the second half and only six throughout the match. Scheer, who made one save, picked up his third career shutout.

The two teams' played through a scoreless first half, with GW controlling most of the play and generating three quality scoring chances.

In the fourth minute, freshman Yoni Berhanu sent a one-time opportunity from 12 yards sailing over the right corner. Nine minutes later, Berhanu sent Ruffing loose with a ball behind the Mids' defense, but after beating a pair defenders Ruffing sent a low shot wide of the left post.

In the 42nd minute, junior Erick Perez-Segnini sent a low right-to-left cross toward a pair of open attackers, but Navy goalkeeper Nolan Grebb came off his line to alleviate the threat.

However, the best scoring opportunity of the first half came from Navy when Kyle Monbleau charged on a loose ball rolling out of the box, but his low blast went directly to Scheer.

The Colonials held a 15-6 advantage in shots and 4-1 edge in corners.

GW continues its road swing Saturday at American at 1:00 pm.