George Washington University Athletics
GW Men's Soccer Renews Rivalry With Navy on Saturday
9/19/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 19, 2013
| Watch on RaiseHigh Live | @GWMensSoccer | GW Men's Soccer on Facebook | GW Soccer Blog
WASHINGTON - The George Washington men's soccer team will face Navy for the 25th time on Saturday afternoon when the Midshipmen visit the GW Soccer Field on the Mount Vernon Campus for a 3 p.m. kickoff. The annual Kickin' It at the Vern cookout will begin at 2:30 p.m., and is free to all fans.
GW (3-3-0) is coming off a 2-1 loss at Saint Peter's on Wednesday, despite senior Tyler Ranalli's career-high fifth goal of the season in the 86th minute off an assist from freshman Angel Valencia. Ranalli continues to lead the Atlantic 10 with five goals and 13 points, and he and Valencia are tied for fourth in the league with three assists. As a team, GW's 15 assists lead the conference, and the Colonials are tied for third in the A-10 with 10 goals on the year.
Sophomore goalie Jean-Pierre van der Merwe recorded a season-high six saves against the Peacocks. GW's defense, in front of the play of van der Merwe, is tied for second in the league with three shutouts.
Navy (1-3-2) is coming off a 3-2 double-overtime loss at No. 21 UMBC on Tuesday. The Midshipmen have played four overtime contests among their six games this season, including their lone win of the year over Central Connecticut. Jamie Dubyoski leads Navy offensively with three goals and six points, while Aaron Dupere has played every minute in goal, posting a 1.50 goals-against average and a .688 save percentage.
GW is 9-11-4 all-time against Navy, as the teams met nearly every year from 1969-92. After not facing off for 15 years, the Colonials and Midshipmen renewed their rivalry for three years from 2008-10, with GW taking two of the three contests.
