Senior Joseph Cahalan scored in the 31st minute, but it would not be enough for the Loyola University Maryland men’s soccer team to defeat No. 23 Navy on Senior Day at Ridley Athletic Complex, as the two squads played to a 1-1 double-overtime tie Saturday night.
Cahalan continued his recent hot streak, scoring his fourth goal of the season after running down the left sideline to finish a cross from freshman Danny Mooney. Senior Connor Thompson set up the play and was credited with an assist after taking a pass from sophomore Antony Sare at the top of the box and sending it out to Mooney on the right wing for the cross.
Although the Greyhounds’ defense held Navy (10-4-3, 5-1-1 Patriot League) without a shot on goal throughout the remainder of the first half, the Midshipmen were able to break through in the 59th minute when they capitalized on a Loyola foul called just outside the box on the end line. Jamie Dubyoski played the free kick into the near side of the small box and Joseph Greenspan finished the opportunity to get Navy its equalizer.
In the 103rd minute, Grant Valenstein tried to net the game-winning goal for the Midshipmen, but sophomore goalkeeper Matt Sanchez met Valenstein in the middle of the box and made the diving save on his initial shot attempt. With Sanchez still down, the ball bounced back to Valenstein, who tried to fire a follow up shot into the open goal, but Cahalan was there to block it and preserve the tie.
The Greyhounds (5-7-4, 2-4-2) have been eliminated from Patriot League Tournament contention and will conclude their season this Saturday at Lafayette.