Navy junior Tommy Phelan described the significance of his sixth-ranked team?s game against rival Army today at noon perfectly.
“This is our biggest game of the year, especially for the seniors on the team who want to graduate without ever losing to Army,” he said. “Whoever wins this game has bragging rights all year and there?s even more importance in this game with Army right behind us in the standings.”
But the 13th-ranked Black Knights also have plenty of motivation. Army hasn?t defeated Navy since the 1997 season, but when it takes the field at Michie Stadium, it will be one gigantic victory away from becoming a major factor in the race for the Patriot League?s regular season title. Army (7-3, 3-1) enters today?s game on ESPNU a week after it ended its five game-winning streak with a loss to 10th-ranked Bucknell.
But still, the Black Knights average a league-best 9.8 goals per game and are second in scoring defense ? and fifth nationally? at 6.6 scores a game. Junior attacker Jason Peyer is Army?s leading scorer with 17 goals, with freshman midfielder Rob McCallion leading the team in points with 10 goals and 14 assists.
And that?s when Phelan enters. He backs a unit that leads the nation in scoring defense at 4.91 goals per game after holding Maryland to just four goals in a 5-4 win at Byrd Stadium last week. The Midshipmen (9-2, 5-0) are attempting to win their 20th straight league game, beat Army for the 14th straight time and secure home field advantage for the Patriot League Tournament, set for April 25-27, by winning the regular season title.
Navy junior defender Andy Tormey, the Patriot League Defender of Week, said the Midshipmen?s performance against Maryland gave them more confidence as they try to improve their standing for the NCAA Tournament next month. The Midshipmen automatically qualify for the 16-team field if they win the Patriot League Tournament, but if they don?t, they would be in great shape to earn an at-large spot if they defeat Army.
“Winning against Maryland allowed us to put all of our focus into Army this week,” Tormey said. “Whether it is football, basketball or lacrosse, there is no rivalry in sports like Army-Navy. There is always a great atmosphere and our defense has gotten to the point where we are extremely comfortable with each other.”
